Thoughts on the Road Ahead

"Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light to my path."
Psalm 119: 105 


The path renews daily.  As many times as I’ve walked this road and have seen the seasons change, I only know the direction in which I walk.  New experiences wait with the twists and turns of the road.

I have walked this path in rain.  I have walked this path in the heat of blissful summer days.  I have walked with path hearing only the crunch of dry leaves under my feet.  I have walked this path in ice and snow hoping my boots will keep me steady as we go.  I have walked this path alone.  I have walked this path with friends.  I have walked in silence.  I have walked chatting with friends dear to my heart.  I always, though, walk with my dog.  She is the reason I walk.  The path changes.  The people change.  The reason remains the same.

I know the area, but I don't know the people I meet.  Some people are friendly.  Most are not.  Some people cross the street to avoid my dog.  Some come up and greet her.  Some people glare at me as we walk. Even though I know the road, I don’t know what will happen.

Each morning, when I wake, I thank God for the gift of a new day.  I thank Him for the chance to undo the wrongs of yesterday.  I thank Him for the chance to live in His fullness and grace again.  I offer Him my day, the good, the bad, and the ugly.  I pray for forgiveness.  I pray for courage and strength to do His Most Holy Will.  I ask for the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. 

Where God will take me, I don't know.  I have no knowledge of those who will cross my path.   The routine is the same,  but the souls I meet change.  Each person is a chance to bring God closer to this world, to extend His Love to those I meet.  Some people are happy in The Lord, they teach me more about joy.  Some people are cranky.  I pray for them in their needs.  I pray that their deep hurts may be healed.  Some people are suffering both in body and soul.  I pray for their healing.  I pray for both the healing of body and soul.  I pray for those whom I enjoy.  We laugh and talk.  I pray for those whom I don't  enjoy.  I pray that I learn to see the face of Jesus in their faces. 

In spite of the goodness I see, I still stumble and fall.  My sins pull me down.  I get up.  I walk along the path again.  Sometimes, I fall with a great thud on the ground.  Other times, when I sin,  it's a lesser fall, but sin is sin.  Sin blocks us from God's graces.  I pray for forgiveness and look forward to the moment when I can confess.  Peace and forgiveness are the gifts and fruits of this sacrament. 

Finally, night comes.  Blessed night when rest heals and renews.  When, in the silence and sacred darkness, we can invite God to work in our souls as we sleep. 

The path was the same but different today.  New souls walking along the way.  We intersect.  We pass each other by.  We make contact.  We ignore.  All the while, we walk with God and His goodness to His children. 


Thank You, Lord for all of Your blessings this day.  Forgive me for the wrongs I have committed.  Forgive me when I was willful.  Forgive me for not loving as You would love.  Forgive me my unjust anger. 

Come to me, tonight, Lord, as I sleep.  Heal those wounds.  Fill me with your graces so that when I wake in the morning, I will walk closer to You in this journey of faith.

Amen.