The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say. -JRR Tolkien

 

A friend once told me, “Life is like a road trip. Even if you know your final destination, the joy is still in the journey.” I completely agree. The unexpected twists, turns, detours, discoveries, even the disappointments and setbacks- they all contribute to the great adventure. God’s been good to me, more than I’ve deserved. I can only hope that I have been an encouragement to those I’ve met along the way, as much as they have been to me. Even now every new person I meet leaves a piece of his/her story with me, and I’m enriched.

I'm entering my second century of life this year, and embarking on a new career path. Time marches on, and change must come. I read this somewhere once, and find it certainly rings true- "When you accept change as inevitable, you won't be crushed when it comes." In fact, change often can be very good, when we have opportunity to reflect on it. God is always moving us forward, urging us on, and leading us by the hand.

Recently I had a rather extraordinary dream. I was suddenly a child again, 8 or 9 years old, and I was on a school bus, about the third row back on the right, with my “Hot Wheels” tin lunch box (I really had one) and my Miami Dolphins book satchel (I had one of those too). Suddenly, the bus driver pulled the bus over to the curb, in a completely deserted, unfamiliar place. He got up, came to me, took me by the arm, and escorted me off the bus, firmly shoving me though the door. As I stood on the curb, watching the bus drive away, I felt a stab of fear, wondering, “Why did he do this to me? What do I do now?” Suddenly, I felt a great presence behind me, a large, strong, warm hand took my left hand, and a deep yet comforting voice spoke, “Its going to be okay. I got you. Let’s go.” I looked up, seeing no face in particular, but a large, reassuring father figure guiding me forward, holding my hand. The terror faded, replaced with a peace, and I thought, “I’m going to be fine.”

I am reminded of these passages from Scripture-

“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 a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

I take great comfort in these and many other verses I have read or others have sent me over the years. God is good, His ways perfect, His timing spot-on, His love for us unfailing, unchanging.

There are more roads to ride, more miles to cover, more people to meet, more memories to make. With God as my guide, I know whatever happens on the road of life, He’s got me. I’ll be fine.
*I have come to understand that in the dream, God is both the bus driver, and the father figure. He had to get me off my comfortable place on the "bus", so He could lead me to new places. I will follow Him.