Slowing Down

I had a very hectic day today, one of those without enough time to get everything done. But the end of the day held the lesson. I visited Gail in the hospital in Worcester where she had surgery to fuse vertebrae in her neck today. The surgery went very well and she was enjoying macaroni and cheese when I arrived. We had an engaging and delightful conversation that included the observation that the month of suffering and worry that she had prior to surgery has been a blessing in disguise. She has had to slow down and take stock. When at first she didn't know what was going on she could imagine the worst. We both agreed tonight that it is good periodically to examine your life to see if you think it is going in the direction God intends. We also agreed that hurrying along life's path is a good way to miss the road signs God places there. It is also an easy way to miss a turn and end up on the wrong road altogether.

I like to think of life as a spiritual journey through woods where the path is marked by the blazes on the tree. It is not always easy to find your way, but all you need to know that you are where you ought to be is a single tree marked by the blaze. Then the only task that matters is finding the next tree. Life can really be that simple; we do only get it one day at time, so all we can do is nibble, gulping doesn't really help!