When I’m walking I like smooth paths and sidewalks as much as possible. I avoid bumps, holes, ice, snow, mudholes, puddles as much as possible. Walking means I’m going slow enough to check out what is ahead and make good decisions, if I look.

Life is like going on a journey. Most of us drive or run rather than walk. Still we want as smooth a journey as possible. What we want and what we get doesn’t always match up. When the journey is rough we tend to blame circumstances or God. We forget that often (not always) the state of our life’s journey, the road conditions are affected by our choices.

Sometimes we close our eyes to all the signs of rough road ahead and keep right on going anyway. As students when we choose to skip classes or homework we know the school road will be full of bumps, potholes and often even sink holes. That often doesn’t keep us from travelling that road. As teens and adults we know alcohol, drugs, envy, greed can all lead us down some mighty rough roads. Some roads look so silky smooth. Buy this, the ad says,  (a)it will make you a success (b) we will give you six months interest free (c) your monthly payment is only $10. We receive advice from all directions. The promise is success, great scenery, lots of friends on your journey.

Years ago Portia Nelson wrote the following poem :

“I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost… I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place.
But, it isn’t my fault.
It still takes me a long time to get out.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in. It’s a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault. I get out immediately.

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

I walk down another street.”

As people of faith, I add to the wisdom of Portia’s words that God walks with us each time we walk  or drive down that street. . From the beginning of our life journey in life, God is with us offering us wisdom to choose our sidewalks and streets carefully. When we fall into a hole, God offers us the strength and determination to climb out. If as Portia says, we repeat the process many times,  God stays with us as we learn a better way. God celebrates when we are ready to follow God’s wisdom and walk down another street.

Today I offer you this prayer: Loving God, thank you for being my companion on life’s road. Open my heart and mind to hear your wisdom so that I make good choices. At the times my mind and heart are closed, thank you for staying with me through the consequences of my choices, comforting me and giving me strength and determination to carry on until I am ready to follow your leading. I am your beloved child. Love means endless forgiveness. I am grateful. Amen