Long AmazingTrip

On the way home from a community building event, my friend Barb and I were reflecting on the path that our lives take sometimes.   We train up our children in the way they should go and the Bible says that when they get old they will not depart from it.  This is something each of us wants for our children and grandchildren.  But it's not in our parental control, it's in God's hands.  

Conversations like that make me really thankful for the Godly friends I have in my life, especially the Godly women.

So what does this road look like??

It reminded me of the wilderness trip Ray and I went on this summer, where we cleared very old portage trails.   The trail always had a starting point, "the landing", and a destination, where we finally put the canoes back into the water.  You need a plan and a map, you need to be prepared,  you need equipment, and you need a guide.  Wilderness camping implies that you find yourself in a wild place, that most likely someone has gone before you, and someday someone will come behind you and  retrace your steps.

Isn't life just like that sometimes?   ...Just like a portage trail.   If we are fortunate, then we can follow the path that our parents have walked before us; the same path in which they trained us up, and one from which  we have not departed. We look forward on that trail, hoping to catch a glimpse of what God's will is for our lives. It's like searching for the next blaze. We read the map, which is God's Word.  We can see the trail, but spotting a true blaze confirms that we are on the right path.   God often sends definite guideposts along the way, to show us which way He would have us go.    In my life, this can take the shape of a word from a friend, the peace that comes with making a right decision, an affirmation that the leap of faith was the right way to go, and most often, God's Word in the Bible.    In the bush, if I was scouting out the trail and saw a blaze, I would flag it so I could find it on the way back to haul my gear.   The way forward or toward the future is not always clear.    We set out in faith, especially when we follow a calling.  But that look over the shoulder reveals a path of flags that line up perfectly.   The trust we place in our Guide is never misplaced. He guides our steps on the path that He already laid out.   When we don't know the way, we can trust our Guide.

Sometimes things fall onto our paths that we have to step around, obstacles that we have to deal with in order to continue on our way.   Sometimes there is no way around them, and like on our trip this summer, you have to break out the heavy equipment to go through them.  In life, things crop up that impede our progress. Stressful situations, like a blow-down on the trail,  can take our focus off the path, disrupt our momentum, or result in losing our bearings. It helps so much in times like that to look over your shoulder, spot the last flag, and remind yourself where you've been and where you're going.  And to reinforce your trust in your Guide.  

I think of my parents who followed God's leading to start a new life in Canada over 30 years ago.   What a leap of faith that must have been!  A journey marked by many affirmations that the decision they made was the right one.    I love their story.   Serving on the school board is the current trip I'm on.   There are times when I it's really easy, and I can easily say that I am where I should be. Other days it can be a struggle, committee work and meetings can be discouraging.  Conflicts can sap my confidence, and have me doubt my ability and role on this trip, or whether I'm even qualified to be here. Deadlines can create anxiety.  But then there are days like the other day...where I spent the day celebrating the support that the high school receives from previous generations. You get so much energy seeing people who have walked the same path and who are now encouraging and cheering on the rest of us. So encouraging, and truly worthy of a flag!!!

On this journey, there are beautiful views, times of easy travel and companions with whom we share this journey. For me,  it continues to be a great adventure.  The wilderness isn't such a bad place to be because of the beauty I witness, the growth I experience, and the Guide who leads me.  The blazes are always there, and in the stories of the people I love...I just have to look for them...symbols of God's faithfulness to them, and to me.

It's a trek, an epic journey, and never just a stroll. You can stroll aimlessly on your own strength and reconnaissance.  A trek implies that you need patience, perseverance, courage, strength, a map, the right equipment, the Right Guide....and a piece of wilderness.