The Path We Travel

Sometimes, I long to find that place, the back porch of my little haven, and sit and soak in the sunrays overlooking the path that leads deep into the emerald carpet of the mountain forest. I long for the simplicity of watching fireflies dance in the sky and to just feel velvet moss between my toes.  Just to absorb all the wonder of the created world buzzing at the end of my well-worn rocker under a Tennessee sky.  I could sit there.  I could stay there.  I could linger in the lovely and be drenched by the misty mountain air.

But there is a rush of a deeper calling.  I know there is time to sit in the wonder and rest in the arms of The Artist of the forest.  I relish the moments I am invited to that place where the shoes slip off and the reverence of the moment wraps my heart.  But I cannot stay there.  I can rest and linger with Him, but I am called off the porch to the path that leads back to the places and the people that need to know the depths of His love.

It's in the heavy and hurting hearts beyond the porch that I find the deepest of Love from Love Himself.  He ushers my feet off the porch into the trenches to give out Love in doses beyond my strength.  He beckons my heart and my hands to find the places, find the people and bind them in love-drenched truth.  I become more alive, more tender with every step deeper in.  I can't always know the method, but I trust the Maker.

And when I find myself quietly walking back to the porch for a moment to breathe in the beauty of this God I follow, I realize the moments of holy pause are the bindings I need. The drenching dew of mountain air is the shower of the Holy to remember the Pathmaker and to relish this life He's given me to live.  A life of love spilled out...His love splashing from the edges of my earthen frame.

I couldn't imagine a better way to spend a life than traveling the paths to and from home looking for lost wanderers trying to make sense of it all. I am just a trail guide walking beside the wounded and weary.  We're all making our way home, and we all need the company.  So on the days far from the misty comforts of home, I remember that all the lovely is waiting for us on our journey back to the Pathmaker.  And when we get there, the sweetness will be unrivaled.  We will bask in the depths of Love that fills every gap in our cracked hearts.  And we will remember every beautiful moment we took down that wandering path to the places and graces we were always meant to travel.