I’ve always loved a gravel road. It’s an intangible feeling that I can’t quite put into words. Gravel roads slow time down and distance you from the chaos of the world. They have a way of simplifying life and reminding you that life doesn't have to be complicated. A dirt trail will get me there just fine; and call me crazy but I really love the dust covered grass along the ditch!
And even better than driving an old gravel road is walking it! This was my gravel road a few years back and I walked 3 miles every chance I got. It ruined my shoes. They were discolored and the fabric tore around the soles. Some days I felt like a run but if I wasn’t careful I could mess my ankles up on loose rocks pretty easily. I had to stop taking my little dog with me because the coyotes were thick in the area and one tracked us for a half mile once! Then the summer of 2016 came and I kept passing baby rattle snakes on the road, and where there are babies there are mommas! So, I deemed that area Rattlesnake Corner and decided it was time to change my direction!
Some days it felt so good to get out and enjoy the fresh country air. I'd really appreciate the birds singing and those overwhelmingly large clouds would take me to a place of wonderment. However, there were also days that it was just about getting the steps in. Those were the days that I especially noticed the littered cans in the ditch that someone must have carelessly tossed from their truck and good grief would the road grater EVER come back and even out these roads!? It had been so long I was basically playing Frogger with the potholes!
Then one day I experienced both of these attitudes while on the very same walk and I put the connection together. Life is a gravel road. It's a rough trail, don't wear flip flops. The rocks give way, walk intentionally. There is beauty as well as trash, you will see what you look for. There are coyotes and snakes, stay vigilant but find courage and go anyway. Regardless of what road we are traveling the bible tells us to be prepared (1 Peter 3), to be content (Phil. 4), to be thankful (1 Thess. 5), to have an attitude of joy, to pray as we go, and to never stop (Gal. 6).
I pray you find grace along your walk and that you lift your eyes to the beauty that is sure to surround you.
May we always be filled with grace even while walking on an especially unkept gravel road.
"The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you all. Amen" Rev. 22:21