1-14-13<\/p>\n
We all walk along pathways, sometimes smooth, sometimes rocky \u2013 inevitably smooth AND rocky \u2013 and, taken together, the pathways are called Life. How we walk or run, how we deal with obstacles on the pathway, and our companions we choose or choose us, all define the journey. Today\u2019s guest message is by my daughter Heather Shaw, sharing profound thoughts about her walk. — <\/em><\/p>\n I have been on this path for as long as I can remember \u2013 sometimes walking, sometimes running, but always moving forward.<\/p>\n Step, step, step.<\/p>\n For years the path was relatively easy. There had been some unexpected twists and bumps, as well as some detours, that had frustrated me. But overall there wasn\u2019t anything I couldn\u2019t handle, and it had been a pleasant path to be on.<\/p>\n After a long, rocky, twisty stretch, the path suddenly turned a corner and in front of me was a smooth, straight path. All around there were signs of springtime. It was a welcome sight after the last twists and turns, and I breathed a sigh of relief. It didn\u2019t happen often to have this kind of an easy path, and I was filled with joy. I ran along happily, excited about all the sights I could see down the way. I couldn\u2019t wait to get to those milestones, and dreamt about what it would be like when I would arrive.<\/p>\n Step, step, step.<\/p>\n Suddenly, without warning, Darkness descended and violently shoved me off my path and onto another path. This new path was not at all like the last path or any I had been on before. I\u2019d done rocky paths before, but this one was covered by sharp, jagged boulders that I had to climb over or around. It was messy \u2013 muddy and covered by debris. As I regained my balance and started to move forward again, I realized that I had been severely injured when I had been shoved. I looked down at my legs and saw that both were mangled. Stopping was not an option. I had to keep moving forward on this messy, new path.<\/p>\n Step… step… step…<\/p>\n As I limped forward, I began to hear voices from others who were calling out while traveling on their paths:<\/p>\n \u201cDon\u2019t worry! That must have been the plan for you! It will all turn out good!\u201d Good?<\/em> I wondered. Darkness shoved me. Does Darkness ever have a good plan?<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re strong \u2013 you must have been chosen to travel your path since you can handle it!\u201d Huh,<\/em> I think. Sounds like a rotten gift.<\/em><\/p>\n “At least you still have your arms!\u201d Someone yelled out. I wonder how in the world that is helpful as I limp along. I liked my legs. They were different from my arms and very much a part of me.<\/p>\n I nodded my head as each voice spoke. I understand. They try to make sense of what happened to me. I wished they would be quiet; they were hurting me more. <\/p>\n Some others ran up closer, rather than calling from a distance. They briefly came near and said, \u201cWow. That\u2019s a hard path you\u2019re on. You\u2019re doing great!\u201d and then quickly ran back to the safety of their own path. Again I nodded. I understand. They care for me, but don\u2019t know what to do and are possibly scared that the same thing could happen to them.<\/p>\n Some who traveled my path returned again to tell me that it will be OK \u2013 there are some spots up ahead that will be better than where I am now. They said that I would slowly learn to walk better and the pain will lessen\u2026 but the limp will remain until the end of my path. These people are brave, to have gone back to places they had already struggled through, to encourage me. I admire them.<\/p>\n And then there were those voices I heard through the fog, calling out, \u201cI\u2019m here! I don\u2019t know what to do or how to help, but I\u2019m here, my friend.\u201d And instead of running back to the safety of their paths, they rearrange their paths to be close to mine. They are getting messy right along with me.<\/p>\n Step… step… step…<\/p>\n People ask how I\u2019m doing. They listen to me ramble on about how unfair it is or how in pain I am. They listen to me talk about my old path and how I miss it and what it would be like if I were still on it. They understand if I need to be silent. They let me cry. They don\u2019t try to make up answers to the whys. They spend time with me just being friends. I can see on their faces that being close to my path sometimes makes them uncomfortable, but yet they stay close. They stay right by me, urging me to keep going. To do one more step, and then another, and then another.<\/p>\n Step… step… step…<\/p>\n And then there\u2019s one more Friend. He doesn\u2019t just walk near me \u2013 I feel His arm always around me. I don\u2019t \u2013 or can\u2019t \u2013 hear Him say much other than \u201cI\u2019m here.\u201d I yell at this Friend often: Did He shove me off the path? Was this His idea to bring me, injured, to this muddy, boulder-filled path? Why didn\u2019t He stop the Darkness as it shoved me and injured me? Other times I just cry to Him. I hurt. I\u2019m not supposed to be here. I get no answers. Just, \u201cI\u2019m here.”<\/p>\n Sometimes when I look to my side, I can faintly see my old smooth path through the trees. I see the milestones and the places where I thought I\u2019d get to. I want to jump off my current path and go over there but I know it is impossible. Sometimes I want to curl up and just escape this nightmare of a path and go back to that dream. But my friends, and my Friend, help me keep putting one foot in front of the other. \u201cYou are doing great,\u201d someone says, \u201cYou\u2019re stronger than you think!\u201d And that helps me keep going.<\/p>\n Step… step… step…<\/p>\n I hate this new path and the new way of walking, but at the same time I am starting to enjoy parts of it. I have learned to appreciate the moments where the path clears up a bit. I pause to look around and I enjoy the beauty that I see around me. I enjoy the small things, not knowing if around the bend Darkness waits for me again. I appreciate those who have gotten messy with me. I know as I watch them traveling close by that it can be uncomfortable for them, but never before have I fully understood or needed true friendship. And I have come to love the arm of my Friend that is always around me. <\/p>\n I used to think my Friend was just traveling the path near me \u2013 guiding me and pointing me the right way. But now I understand that His arm has always been tight around me. It is a love unlike any I have ever known.<\/p>\n And I keep walking.<\/p>\n Step…step…step…<\/p>\n + + + <\/p>\n Heather has chosen the wonderful song \u201cAll My Praise\u201d by the wonderful trio Selah, a music video with some wonderful graphics, to accompany her wonderful message. \u201cWonderful.\u201d When Jesus is our companion on the journey, everything, in the end, is indeed filled with wonder. To see more of Heather\u2019s writing, find her blog \u201cBaby Steps \u2013 Sarah\u2019s Journey\u201d at http:\/\/sarahs-baby-steps.blogspot.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n