Do you ever wonder where you would be if you had not made the choices you did? I do.
Would God have led me right back to this place at this time through a different route? Would my life be happier or more fulfilling, or sorely lacking substance and full of pain, had I chosen another road? Would you change something major about your life if you could live it over again?
I would not.
I began my journey of faith as a very young child. I have always had a deep desire to know God better. My earnest prayer has always been to do His Will.
"Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:17
I could have chosen a different path -- I could have chosen a different mate, a different career, a different place to live. But would I be satisfied and content? I know that He has always had plans for me -- plans that He established, plans I longed to fulfill.
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Although the road has not been easy, and I have had my share of pain, suffering, heartbreak, and sorrow, I have never walked the road alone. He has been with me every step of the way. I may not have held tightly to His Hand, nor always acknowledged His wisdom guiding me along the best path, but He was by my side and holding on to me all the way. There have been times I felt like I was walking blindfolded, taking tentative steps and wondering where the road ahead would lead. But He has faithfully guided me and patiently listened to my murmerings and complaints about not liking the road on which I travel.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
I have experienced amazing blessings in seeing how God has worked things out in miraculous fashion, orchestrating and causing infinite details to come together as no one else could. True to His Nature, He continues to delight, amaze, and confound me with Himself.
A road of faith is a "road less traveled" -- it is a road marked by looking up in order to see straight ahead. It is knowing ahead of time that there will be twists and turns and boulders in the road, but a strong and able Friend and Guide goes with me. In looking back, I would definitely say that the greatest lesson I have learned is that God is FAITHFUL. That fact allows me to look ahead with joyful anticipation. I am exceedingly grateful for His Hand in mine along the road of life. There is joy in the journey and a secure knowledge of the final destination!
This is my all-time favorite poem. It so beautifully states what I have been pondering...
Here it is for you:
Hugs,
Annie
The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost (1920)
TWO roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
