A Daunting Path

As I look ahead at the daunting day before me, at the daunting week that lies before my very feet, I feel my steps waver, my mind pause, my spirits drop.  I don’t want to go there.  Can’t I just skip ahead?

Rachel, Guiss and I at the Nicaragua/Costa Rica border

Today marks a big work day for the Bola Bola project with meetings and playing soccer and strategizing.  But more than that, today we are having a good-bye party on behalf of Casa Adobe for Guiss.  She leaves Saturday.  This Saturday.  Wow.  It’s not like I’m losing a friend forever or anything but it will definitely be hard not to see her every day.  You can’t be very good roommates if you don’t live together anymore…

So, yes, I would love to jump ahead and not live through this week.  But I know I can’t.  And I know it wouldn’t be wise of me even if I could. 

I read this morning a prayer from one of Rachel’s devotionals and it really resonated with me, so I thought I’d share it.  It’s from the Diary of Daily Prayer (Second Edition) by J. Barrie Shepherd:

Journey

“Another day begins, Lord,

Another journey—dawn to dusk—

In the voyage of discovery we call “life.”

As I set out, I pause to ask your blessing,

Your guidance along the way,

Your welcome when I reach my destination.

Grant me this day

The smile of a song upon my lips,

The lilt of lively companionship along the road,

The wisdom to see the way ahead and hold to it,

The strength and courage to overcome all obstacles,

And the openness to share these gifts

With all whose way is tangled and obscure.

Do not permit me, Father,

To wander from the route,

Mazing myself in the circling paths of selfishness,

Straying with pride

That always seems to dog my footsteps.

But also, Lord, do not allow me

To travel with such intense concentration on the goal

That I cannot take the time

To enjoy the wonders along the way,

The tiny, everyday marvels that call on me

To stop a while, and celebrate,

And praise you for the journey

As well as for the destination.

And when I reach the journey’s end,

Grant me safe lodging,

Loved ones to greet me,

And a place to rest and be with you again” (p. 15).

Please keep all of us in your prayers as we go through these next difficult days and help us to not get so consumed by the destination and remember to enjoy the small gifts along the way.  Stay tuned!