the first time

Yesterday in the late afternoon, Shirley and I decided to go for a ride in the country.  We put the top down on the convertible because the air temperature was perfect, at 80, and the fresh beauty of a "newly-birthed" spring was all around.  We didn't know where we were going to go specifically.  I suggested that we explore some of the area around West Point and Shirley agreed.  We drove through the quaint mill town, and proceeded over the bridge on the far side of town that crosses the Mattaponi river.  We wandered down a few dead end roads and returned to the highway and then I decided to take a left at the sign for "King and Queen Court House".  I have enjoyed seeing these old court house town centers that are so common in our area, like Charles City Court House and Surry Court House.  But we had not been down this road before.  The road carved a winding ribbon through lush farm country with old houses that had been added to several times and some expansive new homes, including a striking French Provincial residence on a Ponderosa sized property.  It was fun following the bends and twists in the road to see what lay around every turn and we enjoyed finding and driving past the old court house, now dwarfed by its modern replacement.  The thought occurred that this drive was much like life.  At every point down life's road the bends and twists are new because we haven't lived there yet.  There can be two attitudes as we move into unexplored territory: anticipation or anxiety.  Yesterday we enjoyed great anticipation in the midst of a gorgeous spring afternoon to see one vista after another of open country, lush foliage and homey residences.  But conditions can be different on the road.  Storms come...roads occasionally wash out and the uncertainty of our path ahead can be trying.  But the sign told us that if we stayed on the road for 13 miles we'd make it to the court house...and we did.  And God's sign to us is that if we stay on the road He has graciously made for us we can anticipate seeing Him in the midst of life's experiences around every bend and we will surely find Him in Heaven's Court House.  It's just ahead.

 

Mark 10:³² Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him:

 

blessings,

Rob Smith