Sunday Stories, August 6, 2017

The Uncharted Path

I am a creature of plans, agendas, roadmaps and lists. Mostly lists. Long ago I began treating myself to special rewards when all my itemized objectives were met, with ensuing wailing and gnashing of teeth when victory was thwarted. (Messy closets are my nemesis). The problem is, there is no known living thing, human or otherwise that respects my perfectly ordered schedule or program. After years of conflict and frustration, the God who knows me best, loves me beyond measure and longs for me to respond with joy to the life He gave me, revealed that my little docket, while necessary to keeping me focused and motivated, had become a prison, where friends and family came to visit, stayed a few minutes, then backed gently away hoping no one got hurt.

What was God’s big reveal? Nothing, it was gentle, kind and beautiful. When my youngest child left for college I noticed a subtle change in my overall approach to life. I call it ‘grandma mode’. It is similar to ‘mommy mode’ but characterized by greater flexibility and grace. Remaining connected to a world that once left muddy footprints on the floor meant turning loose of my controlling instincts and saying, “Nothing matters but walking with God today. He knows where I’m needed and my energies won’t be waisted or exploited.” This ‘uncharted path’ is the definition of livin’ the dream.’

My daughters are now adults. They have lives I see less frequently but I long for them to succeed beyond my hopes and theirs. They are on paths my best efforts cannot control. My clean toilets don’t increase their quality of life any longer, if they ever did to begin with, but my presence and availability are as important today as it has ever been. The same applies to the world at large. The angle of earth’s axis didn’t change because I failed to fold laundry and instead, went to see a child play ball.

Satan does his best work when individuals feel isolated, alone and totally hopeless. A good life does not come from the things money can buy, it originates and remains in the relationships we build and hold dear. God promises to never leave us alone (Deuteronomy 31:8). The great miracle is that His assurance is carried out human to human. An obstacle exists though. My plans, agendas, roadmaps and lists. To connect means stepping out into uncharted territory. Releasing my plans for the weekend because someone needs me, or losing a night’s sleep to wipe tears is not a burden when God’s voice asks you to be the difference between hope and despair.

I still make lists. They are rigid and I hold them close to my heart with ambition and determination, but I have an alternative list that begins with a phrase I heard an evangelist, Nathan Covington, state during a revival when I was a teenager. He said, “I hope the devil groans when I get out of bed and my feet hit the floor.” Make someone smile, be someone’s blessing, love my neighbor and leave the world better than I found it, are the things I endeavor to achieve each and every day. The road less traveled has no GPS other than faith, but there is a Light unto my pathway and I’m finding the absence of dust bunny distractions an incredibly lovely thing.

Wasting Less Paper,

Gretchen

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