Driving in the Tracks

This week in our town, in our half of the state for that matter, we've had a record amount of snow and ice. The reading from our own backyard was 5 inches but I know some areas had more than that. On top of that beautiful snow was about a half inch of ice. We were out of school for 4 days before the private school where I teach decided it was time to try its hand at opening the doors.

We were opening at 10:00 instead of the usual 7 am time so that was helpful for those of us traveling in the still icy conditions. I left my little man home with his Nana, still fearful that the commute wouldn't be an easy one for our 45+ minute ride in.

Most of the major roads were fine to travel but the secondary streets were a nightmare. Sheets of ice still coated the road and cars moved much too fast for my taste. On several roads, there was a path to follow where other cars had previously traveled. If you stayed on the path they had laid out, it was smooth travels but if you shifted over to the right or the left, you could wind up sliding and skidding.

Of course as I was "white knuckle" driving the whole way to work, God chose this time to teach me a lesson. ( He sneaks up on me sometimes....although I shouldn't have been surprised, I was talking to Him the whole time!!) He impressed upon me that the lane I was traveling was a metaphor for life. He has laid out a path for me. All I have to do is stay on it. No veering to the right or left or I'd end up in trouble.

I was reminded of the temptations also. The temptation to pull out of the lane to get a closer look at something that looked beautiful from afar. The temptation to pull over just to stop and take a rest. The temptation to go as fast as others were..just to follow the crowd because it's what "everyone" else was doing. God them reminded me of how hard it is to get back on the path once you've been off of it. Tires spin, cars slide, sometimes you travel inches , sometimes you are just plain stuck. After it is all over with, it makes you wonder why you ever decided to get off the path to begin with.

Thank you Lord for providing me with the path you've laid out for me. Please give me eyes to see where you intend for me to travel, wisdom to stay on the path and strength for the journey.

More lessons

It seems that this season is all about lessons....God is using my little man to show me so much. I have written before about the path that is along the back portion of our property. Not to paint the wrong image....it is very short, very accessible and quite close to the house. But from a three year old's eye, it is magical.

My son is limited in his freedoms. He is only three, impulsive and autistic. We face a lot of challenges in this area so when he has the opportunity to do things "alone" they are a very big deal for him. Part of this freedom has come in the form of the path.

He loves, loves, loves the battery powered John Deere tractor he has and will ride it until the battery is drained. We've recently decided to let him ride it on the path alone. Now there is one point on which an adult can stand and see down the hill to where the path is. Every part of the path is visible if you are standing in that particular point (my son calls it 'the mountain') but if you are on the path, it is quite easy to feel that you are alone.

My son was recently riding on that path 'alone' as I stood on the 'mountain' to watch. He waved at first, smiling from ear to ear as he drove along. After a bit, he continued to wave in my general direction but you could tell he couldn't really see me anymore. When he reached the end, he saw me again and asked me where I had been. I showed him that I hadn't moved at all from my original post.

Do you see where this is going? God uses the simple things to make a point to me. HE never leaves His post. He is always watching. He is always looking out for us. I might not think I can see Him, or I catch a glimpse of Him if I really look, but He is really always there. It is often me questioning God as to where He went. He reassures me that He never left.

Even as I write this, God shows me more than one lesson....a learning time for myself and a teachable moment to share with my son. Thank you Father for taking the time to show me these lessons and for never giving up on me.

Lessons from the path

We have a path along the back edge of our property. It winds through the woods and although it is not really very far away, it gives you the appearance you are quite a distance from the house. This afternoon my son and I were walking on the path as we enjoyed the fall leaves.

He is running ahead of me, moving as quickly as he can. I spot some birds gathered together for an afternoon snack. When I call out to him to look, he is too busy moving ahead to stop and see what I want to show him.

I hear my Heavenly Father speaking to my heart....how many times have I moved to quickly, rushing to get to my destination when God was trying to show me something beautiful or interesting? How many times did I miss the joy in the moment? Not only how many times, but exactly WHAT did I miss? Thank you Father for reminding me to slow down, to look for Your hand in my life and to enjoy the goodness You created for me.