We went to see a movie Saturday afternoon. It was called 'Blind Side' and stars Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw. In a nutshell, it was about a couple who provided a home (and ultimately a family) for a homeless teen-aged boy who then turned out to be a pro-football player.
But it's about more than that. The couple is white. The teenager is black. The couple is rich (seriously rich). The teenager is homeless because his birthmother is a drug addict. And the couple are professing christians (a shocking characterization coming out of Hollywood--then again, it's based on a true story, so maybe they were required to include that part).
The movie is very good, I really recommend it. It's a reminder of what's important--not money, not hobbies, not personal achievements, not race, not class, not STUFF--but people. Family. It's especially poignant to me, as an adoptive parent, because it does a good job showing how a person's life, focus, and family are changed when you open your home and heart. I especially liked it when one of the mother's friends said to her, "You are changing his life." And the mother responded, "No, he is changing mine."
I can speak from firsthand experience as to the accuracy of that statement. Adoption has changed my life, my focus, my family, and ultimately enriched my walk of faith.
So, don't let my upcoming musings discourage you from seeing the movie. It's definitely worth it. But here are some random thoughts that I just have to visit.
It's the depiction of a christian couple in this movie that is giving me pause. The first, glaringly obvious issue is the leader of the home. The husband is quiet, submissive. . . in short, inconsequential. The wife, on the other hand, is aggressive, smart, outspoken. . .she takes the bull by the horns and is the driving force in her family. She's not a bad person, don't get me wrong--she is compassionate and charitable. She's just obviously the leader in their marriage.
This part is played by Sandra Bullock, who I usually kind of like as the 'girl next door' type. This actress is not all glitzy, she is a very natural-looking brunette and you feel like you might run into her at the local grocery store. But the character she plays is a dyed-blonde, chic, made-up, jewelry-flaunting. . .well, let's just say what I'm thinking: fake. . .worldly.
There were a few cuss words in the movie, and some of them were spoken by the professing christians. They had wine with their Thanksgiving dinner, which they were eating in front of the television until their new 'guest' seated himself at the dining room table and they were prompted to enjoy their family during the meal.
Do you see why I'm struggling with this Hollywood portrayal of a christian couple? Where is the holiness? Where is the set-apart? Where is the light shining on a hill in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation? They just didn't look different from the world.
This is something I think we struggle with, as Christians. We don't want to be 'too different' to the point of being 'weird' and 'irrelevant'. But yet, we're supposed to be holy, a peculiar people--according to God's Word. We're not to be different just for the sake of being different, of course, but we're also not supposed to just blend in and be like everyone else. . .are we??? I'm just not sure this portrayal of christianity did God any favors, you know? I don't want to be critical or judgmental, it's just that the way they represented a christian family gave me a gut check. What is the proper balance? Are we Christians compromising God's standards and being absorbed by the world?
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
A Hairy Journey
You know, I just don't feel like I have much experience with my daughter's hair yet to share with anyone else, but I have some funny stories (mishaps), a few successes, and have benefited greatly from advice from others, so I thought I'd chronicle some of our experiences with her hair these last few months.
Unfortunately, I don't seem to have a lot of good pictures of her in her Zulu knots (otherwise known as Bantu knots), but I think they are really cute, relatively quick and easy, and they last pretty well, so she wears them at least once every other month.
A very popular style this summer was the 'three braids' look. I love this style. First of all, it's very quick and easy. I just part her hair by making a 'Y' upside down from her right temple, then make three ponytails and braid them. I think it is an adorable, young look.
There is also, of course, the ubiquitous 'puff' look, which can be translated as 'Mom didn't take the time to 'really' fix my hair today!' I think she still pulls it off well, esp with a couple spiral curls hanging out of the pony.
Then there are the cornrows. . .sigh, I wonder if I'll EVER master this! This was my second try, which was an improvement over my first try, but still. . .
It looks darling when other people do it, but I still need LOTS of practice! Any volunteers to sit still for an hour or so and let me practice?! smile I took pity on her this day and just did a 'partial' cornrow and left the back curly.
My older daughter was willing to let me practice on her, but I'm not sure I did any better with her long, straight hair! I ended up accidentally braiding the bottom as I was too lazy to pull each strand clear through as I was braiding the top. 
And finally, (drum roll), here is our most recent hairstyle courtesy of tutoring from my blogging friend Sarah. We just divided her hair into sections, braided and used Sarah's fun technique to string the beads on the ends. Kiana loves the beads, and constantly shakes her head back and forth to hear the clinking sound.
It's so amazing how long her hair is when it's braided. It's not real thick, which I imagine it will get thicker as she gets older (she's only two after all!), so there are only ten braids at this point.
I really like this style, so thank you very much for sharing your experience, Sarah! What shall we try next?!
Unfortunately, I don't seem to have a lot of good pictures of her in her Zulu knots (otherwise known as Bantu knots), but I think they are really cute, relatively quick and easy, and they last pretty well, so she wears them at least once every other month.
A very popular style this summer was the 'three braids' look. I love this style. First of all, it's very quick and easy. I just part her hair by making a 'Y' upside down from her right temple, then make three ponytails and braid them. I think it is an adorable, young look.
There is also, of course, the ubiquitous 'puff' look, which can be translated as 'Mom didn't take the time to 'really' fix my hair today!' I think she still pulls it off well, esp with a couple spiral curls hanging out of the pony.
Then there are the cornrows. . .sigh, I wonder if I'll EVER master this! This was my second try, which was an improvement over my first try, but still. . .
It looks darling when other people do it, but I still need LOTS of practice! Any volunteers to sit still for an hour or so and let me practice?! smile I took pity on her this day and just did a 'partial' cornrow and left the back curly.
My older daughter was willing to let me practice on her, but I'm not sure I did any better with her long, straight hair! I ended up accidentally braiding the bottom as I was too lazy to pull each strand clear through as I was braiding the top. 
And finally, (drum roll), here is our most recent hairstyle courtesy of tutoring from my blogging friend Sarah. We just divided her hair into sections, braided and used Sarah's fun technique to string the beads on the ends. Kiana loves the beads, and constantly shakes her head back and forth to hear the clinking sound.
It's so amazing how long her hair is when it's braided. It's not real thick, which I imagine it will get thicker as she gets older (she's only two after all!), so there are only ten braids at this point.
I really like this style, so thank you very much for sharing your experience, Sarah! What shall we try next?!
Monday, November 16, 2009
A Family Project
I wouldn't have traded this day for anything. It is bonding as a family to work together and to enjoy the fruit of our labors. Besides that, it was just plain fun to giggle and work together as we gave God glory for the crop He gave us.
Alan planted corn this year, for the first time on our farm. It seemed a good idea to save on feed for the sheep, cow, pigs and chickens by raising our own corn. The ground had experienced a good rest, and Alan was thrilled with the crop. The ears were big and full and he has more corn than we really even need. This was a first experience for the kids and I, even though Alan grew up on a farm that did a little of everything, and we all had to get in on the fun.
Easton thought he was big stuff 'helping' drive the tractor. Really, Destry is the one who was the most help. He actually knew how to operate the tractor and all the implements and helped Alan with prepping the machinery and hitching everything up. At moments like these, I am reminded how much he is growing up, and I am grateful for the opportunities he has to learn these skills.
My rough understanding of how this process works is as follows: the machine in the middle is called a corn picker. This machinery has a pto, rather like a baler, which is powered by the tractor, and this machine is pretty amazing. It takes the stalk of corn into the machine, separates the corn from the stalk, then the ear of corn goes through another section of the machine to be shucked, and then a beautiful ear of corn plops into the wagon.
Alan drove the tractor and the kids and I rode around in the wagon. I am ever so grateful there is no video of me getting into the wagon! Below was our view as we drove around the cornfield and evaded flying cobs of corn.
Kiana found a safe place between Mama's legs where she sat secure in her safety and ate kernels of corn off the cob. This silly little girl will eat absolutely anything!
At other times, the little ones stationed themselves in a corner safe from flying corn and thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
Kiana enjoys picking corn. It's an exhausting job, apparently, but here she is, sprawled out on a pile of corn in the wagon. She's perfectly comfortable and at home there. 
Briana and Destry were laid back, enjoying God's amazing and bountiful blessing. Not only was the yield abundant, and the ground dry enough to work in, but we had a beautiful, warm, sunny day to reap what Alan had planted. Now the corn is all safely stored away in the corn crib Alan built, ready to be fed to the livestock.
I love this picture of Destry. I can see a shadow of the man he is becoming, kicked back surveying his domain, strong and confident that he can do what needs to be done. I think there is just something about a man and the land--being in touch with God's creation and working with his hands. I see it in his dad, and I see a difference between my son cooped up in the house bent over a schoolbook versus repairing and operating machinery and seeing tangible evidence and benefit from physical labor. 
Alan planted corn this year, for the first time on our farm. It seemed a good idea to save on feed for the sheep, cow, pigs and chickens by raising our own corn. The ground had experienced a good rest, and Alan was thrilled with the crop. The ears were big and full and he has more corn than we really even need. This was a first experience for the kids and I, even though Alan grew up on a farm that did a little of everything, and we all had to get in on the fun.
Easton thought he was big stuff 'helping' drive the tractor. Really, Destry is the one who was the most help. He actually knew how to operate the tractor and all the implements and helped Alan with prepping the machinery and hitching everything up. At moments like these, I am reminded how much he is growing up, and I am grateful for the opportunities he has to learn these skills.
My rough understanding of how this process works is as follows: the machine in the middle is called a corn picker. This machinery has a pto, rather like a baler, which is powered by the tractor, and this machine is pretty amazing. It takes the stalk of corn into the machine, separates the corn from the stalk, then the ear of corn goes through another section of the machine to be shucked, and then a beautiful ear of corn plops into the wagon.
Alan drove the tractor and the kids and I rode around in the wagon. I am ever so grateful there is no video of me getting into the wagon! Below was our view as we drove around the cornfield and evaded flying cobs of corn.
Kiana found a safe place between Mama's legs where she sat secure in her safety and ate kernels of corn off the cob. This silly little girl will eat absolutely anything!
At other times, the little ones stationed themselves in a corner safe from flying corn and thoroughly enjoyed the ride.
Kiana enjoys picking corn. It's an exhausting job, apparently, but here she is, sprawled out on a pile of corn in the wagon. She's perfectly comfortable and at home there. 
Briana and Destry were laid back, enjoying God's amazing and bountiful blessing. Not only was the yield abundant, and the ground dry enough to work in, but we had a beautiful, warm, sunny day to reap what Alan had planted. Now the corn is all safely stored away in the corn crib Alan built, ready to be fed to the livestock.
I love this picture of Destry. I can see a shadow of the man he is becoming, kicked back surveying his domain, strong and confident that he can do what needs to be done. I think there is just something about a man and the land--being in touch with God's creation and working with his hands. I see it in his dad, and I see a difference between my son cooped up in the house bent over a schoolbook versus repairing and operating machinery and seeing tangible evidence and benefit from physical labor. 
Monday, November 9, 2009
Books I'd Like to Read
I have a disease. I think it's called 'bibliophiliac' or something similar. I've been hearing about some books that I think I want to read. I don't know when I'm going to have time for these, so I'm jotting them down here in case I have time some other day (month, year. . .) Here is my list:
'Crazy Love' by Francis Chan
'12 Steps for the Recovering Pharisee (like me)' by John Fischer (seriously check out the table of contents listed below--doesn't this book sound thought-provoking?!)
What are you reading right now? What would you love to read if you had a little more time?
'Crazy Love' by Francis Chan
'12 Steps for the Recovering Pharisee (like me)' by John Fischer (seriously check out the table of contents listed below--doesn't this book sound thought-provoking?!)
I know, this is only two, because I already own probably 10 books I haven't had a chance to read yet. These are just two more that I don't own, but they certainly pique my attention!Table of Contents
Step 1. We admit that our single, most unmitigated, pleasure is to judge other people. — Step 2. We believe that our sole means of obtaining greatness is to make everyone else out to be lower than ourselves in our own mind. — Step 3. We realize that we detest mercy being given to those who, unlike us, haven't worked for it and don't deserve it. — Step 4. We have decided that we don't want to get what we deserve after all, and we really don't want anybody else to either. — Step 5. We have ceased all attempts to apply teaching and rebuke to anyone but ourselves. — Step 6. We're entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of attitude and character. — Step 7. Embraced the belief that we are, and will always be, experts at sinning. — Step 8. Looked closely at the lives of men and women of the bible who loved God and whom God loved, and took note of the fact that they, too, were very colorful sinners, even as God worked through them. — Step 9. Sought, through prayer and meditation, to make a conscious effort at considering others as better than ourselves. — Step 10. Have come to recognize the state of astonishment as a permanent and glorious reality. — Step 11. Continued to take personal inventory of our lives, taking particular care to rid ourselves of any attitude that is not bathed in gratitude. — Step 12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others outside the church who have bought the wrong idea that a christian is someone who is better than anyone else.
What are you reading right now? What would you love to read if you had a little more time?
Sunday, November 8, 2009
What'll It Be?
I've been thinking a lot about choices these last few days. I wonder if we even realize the many choices we make and their possible ramifications. So often, I think we make a choice and don't realize the results of the choice until many years later.
We went to a fundraiser banquet for Lifeline Pregnancy Resource Center Thursday evening. As I listened to the speaker share the story of her abortion many years ago, I couldn't prevent tears from coursing down my cheeks even as I managed to hold back my sobs. My heart broke for her as she shared that her 'counselor' told her she had 'choices' thanks to Roe vs. Wade--even as the counselor presented no alternative to abortion. Then she shared that she came to believe Christ's death on the cross provided forgiveness of sin--but she couldn't believe it could cover THAT sin. She wouldn't forgive herself, and never had children because she had been 'such a bad mom to her first child.' She felt guilt when the father of the child (who never even knew she had been pregnant) suffered an accident leaving him paralyzed so he would never be able to have children--and she had killed his child. She never told anyone, even her family, that she had the abortion, but carried it around as a huge weight that she feared people discovering. Then she shared a dream she had nearly 30 years after the "procedure", of many tiny children playing and singing in a beautiful field. A little boy came up to her, and without him saying a word, she 'knew' he was her son--the child she had killed. And all the children in the dream represented the millions of children who are killed through abortion. So, she made the choice to share her story in the hope of preventing the deaths of more children, and the years of heartache for other women who make this choice and then are stuck with the consequences.
I've also recently been inundated with choices regarding adoption. A few days ago I read on a blog about a family who was seeking a home for their son they adopted 3 years ago. In the adoption world, I guess this is called 'disruption.' And this weekend, on a homeschool egroup I subscribe to, I read of another family going through a 'disruption'. As a result of this story, at least three or four other people on the egroup have shared similar stories to reassure the first person. This just breaks my heart--to think of a family adopting a child who has been through so much already, and then deciding they are going to. . .I mean, how do you say this?! Kick the child out? Reject the child? Break their promise of being a 'forever family'? I don't want to judge these situations because I haven't 'been in their shoes' and well, I guess I can't say I would never do it since I've never been in their situation. But I seriously cannot imagine doing it. I think it would rip a piece of my heart out. And it hurts me to hear of other people doing it-- frequently, apparently, as I've learned in just the last few days. It's common enough that there is a 'term' for it. There are support groups for those who have 'disrupted'. Wow.
And for some reason, I've been subjecting myself to reading a blog written by a girl who was adopted 22 years ago. This girl alternately hates her birthmother and idolizes her birthmother. She blames society and the 'adoption industry' and her adoptive parents for her birthmother's "rejection" of her. I've never read such negative, self-consumed, dramatic, selfish, whiny, self-centered writing in all my life. She blames everyone (adoptive parents, sister, birthmother, etc) for everything you could possibly imagine and refuses to choose to look on the positive side, to appreciate what both her birthparents and adoptive parents have done for her, or to simply grow up. She has chosen the victim mentality as thoroughly as anyone I've ever seen. Can I just confess that as an adoptive mother, this girl scares me to death?!
And, finally, I've been thinking of the choices people make in marriage. In my Bible study, I was blessed to read of Abraham's servant going to find a wife for Isaac. When Rebekah's family was told about the situation (and the servant's prayer), and asked if she could go back to marry Isaac, her father and brother responded 'This is from the Lord; we have no choice in the matter' (Gen. 24:50). Isaac and Rebekah had never met, but Genesis 24:67 says he married her and he loved her. What great choices! Rebekah and her family chose to submit to God's will in obedience, and Isaac chose to love the wife who had been chosen for him. How I wish people would choose to love the spouses they have! I'm just hearing, once again, of a 'christian' couple who are separated. She is making allegation of spousal abuse and he is making allegations of a boyfriend. They are making choices that affect eternity, their children, friends and family, the church. . . and the ripple effect goes on.
It's so sobering to me to think of the consequences of the choices we make today. How will they affect our future? How will they affect others? How will they affect our walk with the Lord and how our light shines before others?
We went to a fundraiser banquet for Lifeline Pregnancy Resource Center Thursday evening. As I listened to the speaker share the story of her abortion many years ago, I couldn't prevent tears from coursing down my cheeks even as I managed to hold back my sobs. My heart broke for her as she shared that her 'counselor' told her she had 'choices' thanks to Roe vs. Wade--even as the counselor presented no alternative to abortion. Then she shared that she came to believe Christ's death on the cross provided forgiveness of sin--but she couldn't believe it could cover THAT sin. She wouldn't forgive herself, and never had children because she had been 'such a bad mom to her first child.' She felt guilt when the father of the child (who never even knew she had been pregnant) suffered an accident leaving him paralyzed so he would never be able to have children--and she had killed his child. She never told anyone, even her family, that she had the abortion, but carried it around as a huge weight that she feared people discovering. Then she shared a dream she had nearly 30 years after the "procedure", of many tiny children playing and singing in a beautiful field. A little boy came up to her, and without him saying a word, she 'knew' he was her son--the child she had killed. And all the children in the dream represented the millions of children who are killed through abortion. So, she made the choice to share her story in the hope of preventing the deaths of more children, and the years of heartache for other women who make this choice and then are stuck with the consequences.
I've also recently been inundated with choices regarding adoption. A few days ago I read on a blog about a family who was seeking a home for their son they adopted 3 years ago. In the adoption world, I guess this is called 'disruption.' And this weekend, on a homeschool egroup I subscribe to, I read of another family going through a 'disruption'. As a result of this story, at least three or four other people on the egroup have shared similar stories to reassure the first person. This just breaks my heart--to think of a family adopting a child who has been through so much already, and then deciding they are going to. . .I mean, how do you say this?! Kick the child out? Reject the child? Break their promise of being a 'forever family'? I don't want to judge these situations because I haven't 'been in their shoes' and well, I guess I can't say I would never do it since I've never been in their situation. But I seriously cannot imagine doing it. I think it would rip a piece of my heart out. And it hurts me to hear of other people doing it-- frequently, apparently, as I've learned in just the last few days. It's common enough that there is a 'term' for it. There are support groups for those who have 'disrupted'. Wow.
And for some reason, I've been subjecting myself to reading a blog written by a girl who was adopted 22 years ago. This girl alternately hates her birthmother and idolizes her birthmother. She blames society and the 'adoption industry' and her adoptive parents for her birthmother's "rejection" of her. I've never read such negative, self-consumed, dramatic, selfish, whiny, self-centered writing in all my life. She blames everyone (adoptive parents, sister, birthmother, etc) for everything you could possibly imagine and refuses to choose to look on the positive side, to appreciate what both her birthparents and adoptive parents have done for her, or to simply grow up. She has chosen the victim mentality as thoroughly as anyone I've ever seen. Can I just confess that as an adoptive mother, this girl scares me to death?!
And, finally, I've been thinking of the choices people make in marriage. In my Bible study, I was blessed to read of Abraham's servant going to find a wife for Isaac. When Rebekah's family was told about the situation (and the servant's prayer), and asked if she could go back to marry Isaac, her father and brother responded 'This is from the Lord; we have no choice in the matter' (Gen. 24:50). Isaac and Rebekah had never met, but Genesis 24:67 says he married her and he loved her. What great choices! Rebekah and her family chose to submit to God's will in obedience, and Isaac chose to love the wife who had been chosen for him. How I wish people would choose to love the spouses they have! I'm just hearing, once again, of a 'christian' couple who are separated. She is making allegation of spousal abuse and he is making allegations of a boyfriend. They are making choices that affect eternity, their children, friends and family, the church. . . and the ripple effect goes on.
It's so sobering to me to think of the consequences of the choices we make today. How will they affect our future? How will they affect others? How will they affect our walk with the Lord and how our light shines before others?
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
So, How is YOUR Week Going?
I can't seem to get it together this week. Do you need proof? Remember that nice, clean desk with nothing piled on the surface? What a faint memory that is.
And how is my family going to eat supper on this table tonight?
Here is my bed. It's difficult to see beneath all the laundry. At least the laundry is clean. I didn't take a picture of the dirty laundry overflowing the baskets.
Are you wondering why there are no sheets on the bed? Perhaps you are under the mistaken illusion that I am a really good homemaker who is faithful at washing my sheets every Tuesday. Be deluded no longer! Kiana peed on my pillow.
Yes, you read that right. I'm pretty sure she hasn't peed in the potty all day. She HAD been doing so well, we aren't wearing plastic pants anymore. Ask me how I feel about that after she sat on my pillow to read her books.
Sigh. I haven't even combed her hair today! Yes, Easton, you may have some animal crackers. Even though we are having supper in about 30 minutes. You want to watch Barney? Sure, go ahead--just share the animal crackers with sister.
Tomorrow is a new day, right?! I am oh, so thankful that Tuesday is Briana's night to make supper. I'll clean up the messes quick and eat her homemade rolls and beef and barley soup. Otherwise it would be a frozen pizza kind of night. Tomorrow. . .yes, I'll do better tomorrow!
Oh, and just for fun, enjoy the "Song That Never Ends"
And how is my family going to eat supper on this table tonight?
Here is my bed. It's difficult to see beneath all the laundry. At least the laundry is clean. I didn't take a picture of the dirty laundry overflowing the baskets.
Are you wondering why there are no sheets on the bed? Perhaps you are under the mistaken illusion that I am a really good homemaker who is faithful at washing my sheets every Tuesday. Be deluded no longer! Kiana peed on my pillow.
Yes, you read that right. I'm pretty sure she hasn't peed in the potty all day. She HAD been doing so well, we aren't wearing plastic pants anymore. Ask me how I feel about that after she sat on my pillow to read her books.
Sigh. I haven't even combed her hair today! Yes, Easton, you may have some animal crackers. Even though we are having supper in about 30 minutes. You want to watch Barney? Sure, go ahead--just share the animal crackers with sister.
Tomorrow is a new day, right?! I am oh, so thankful that Tuesday is Briana's night to make supper. I'll clean up the messes quick and eat her homemade rolls and beef and barley soup. Otherwise it would be a frozen pizza kind of night. Tomorrow. . .yes, I'll do better tomorrow!
Oh, and just for fun, enjoy the "Song That Never Ends"
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Two Roads Diverge
It seems everything I'm coming across lately deals with my walk and choices to be made. I'm seeing words like 'path' and 'way' and 'boundary lines' every time I turn around. In my personal Bible study, I read Jeremiah 6:14-17 which talks about the crossroads, asking for the 'old paths' and 'walking' the 'good way' as opposed to having no shame and not even knowing how to blush. In another study, I learned about Lot's choice to 'set his face toward Sodom' and the horrible consequences he experienced as a result. Another passage I came across in my personal reading was Psalm 16:5-11. I think of the boundary lines falling in pleasant places for me, and how God makes known to me the path of life. Alan recently delivered a lesson about followers of 'The Way'. The book I'm reading right now is even called 'The Mom Walk'.
Do you ever think of the various 'intersections' we face in life? Sometimes it's an obvious crossroads--a "T" if you will. You literally have to stop and make a definitive turn in one direction or another. You can't move forward until you make a decision. I know (and am praying for) people faced with a crossroads in their life right now.
Other times you're just cruising along on your path and another path appears up ahead to gently veer off. Do you continue as you've always gone along, or do you explore this slight variation? It might not be as well-traveled; it might be a little more difficult to navigate. But that might make all the difference. I see a little path veering slightly ahead in my life. What to do? Take that little path, stepping a little different route from some of my fellow travelers, or continue on the known road, the companionable road.
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At other times it seems a mere little detour presents itself. You'll end up back on the same path, there's just a circuitous, scenic route you could choose. Is it a waste of time, or will the experience change you in a good way that you don't want to miss? Still other times, two roads travel along in a parallel fashion. Both are headed the same way, but for whatever reason, you need to not walk the exact same path as another. Perhaps there are a few extra potholes on your path, or an unexpected waterfall--slight variations between your experience and that of someone on the path you get occasional glimpses of through the trees.
Wherever we walk, I am reminded that we are to walk humbly with our God, worthy of our call, in truth, in the light, in love, and in good works. Rare is the opportunity to go back and choose the road we rejected in the past, for as Frost himself said 'way leads on to way'. So we make the best decision we can with the information we have at hand, and trust that God walks along with us, willing to lift us over the fallen branches. He always gives us another chance, another intersection down the road, a way of escape, even as we bear consequences from wrong turns in our past.
What do you see ahead in your path? A crossroad? A little dirt path nearly hidden by the undergrowth no one has navigated recently? A slight detour? A long, open road: wide, easy, paved? Is there a bend right in front of you, and you have no idea what lies just around it?
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