Saturday, April 7, 2012

Blogging A to Z Challenge "Gravel Roads"


“Gravel Roads”

Gravel roads are a part of living in the country. They can be unpredictable, with washboards, unexpected dips, and areas of deep gravel. Any of these can pull a vehicle from side to side, spin it around, and even cause it to go off the road completely.

Many days as I travel on our gravel road to the highway, I’m all alone and more likely to see a deer, rabbit, wild turkey or pheasant than another vehicle.

The road grader periodically comes down our road, first smoothing one side and then coming back to smooth the other side of the road. If I go on the road before his second pass, there’s a big pile of dirt and gravel down the center of the road. Sometimes it’s too high to drive over, so I’m stuck on one side of the road until the barrier is lower.

One thing I know about driving on any gravel road—it always ends, either at the smooth, predictable paved highway, or at home, in my garage.

Life can be like a gravel road—with bumps, unexpected dips and barricades which make it difficult to get over to the other side. In life, situations can take us by surprise and pull from side to side, spin us around, or throw us completely off the road we were on.

However, because of our faith, we can be confident that we are not alone as we travel the “gravel roads” of our lives. God is ALWAYS with us—through the dips, deep places, and barriers, even when we spin out or go off the road. He is with us through trials, and right there beside us, ready to guide us back to where we should be.

Just as I know any gravel road will eventually lead to a smoother path or home, I know that the sometimes rough road of my life will always, eventually, lead to a smoother path…and at the very end of my last trip on a gravel road, I will arrive safely home, to my eternal home, in heaven.

Jesus said, “…small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” 
Matthew 7:14

“I will guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.”
Proverbs 4:11

“Make level paths for your feet and take only the ways that are firm. 
Do not swerve to the right or the left…” Proverbs 4:26-27
-----------------------------------------------

I'm also blogging at Home is Where the Mom Is. Check out the post today, which gives guidelines for and steps to setting "Goals" so you'll be able to have the satisfaction of reaching them!