THE ROUTE HOME

Getting from the airport to my summer home in Delaware, the forty-five-minute trip takes me through several little towns. Every time I make the drive, it feels more like traveling through “a metaphor for life” than driving through the local suburbs.

One of the first towns I come to is Pittsville; a superlative description of what some days are like for most of us. You don’t have to be in Delaware to visit “Pittsville;” it will find you! You’ve been there, haven’t you? Maybe you’re in your car on the way to an important appointment, and your coffee lid pops off of the cup, and the creamy, brown liquid pours down the front of your clothes. Or, maybe you have had an evening like the one I had a while back. Richard and I were on our way to a formal affair, and in the pouring rain, our car hit a pothole the size of Texas. Of course, we couldn’t see the hole because it was full of water. Slowly, but methodically, both front and rear tires began to deflate. We never arrived at our destination. Instead, we limped our way to the nearest gas station and had to take a cab home.

Shortly after leaving Pittsville, you pass by Sixty Foot Road. I have often wondered if the road is precisely “sixty feet” in length, but have never taken the time to measure. I’m usually so glad to be out of Pittsville that I want to keep going. But, I have thought how nice it would be (metaphorically speaking) to know the precise distance of the “road” I am on because if “the scenery” is pleasant and “the weather” favorable, knowing the actual mileage might encourage a slower pace. On the other hand, if it is overcast and cloudy, knowing the end is near is helpful.

Finally, we reach the “Shepherds Crossing.” If you have read other writings of mine, then you know about this juncture. With a recycling plant and children’s playground on one side of the road and a cemetery on the other side, Shepherds Crossing passes between them. When I reach this spot in the journey, I always smile, remembering how Jesus, our Shepherd, is with us every mile of our lives. Some days in this world will be grinding and some fun, but through it all, the grave is empty. Jesus has “overcome the world!”

I hope that these little metaphors are meaningful to you in your reading and in your living. Seeing life through the lens of the simple everyday circumstances where we find ourselves, can provide a beautiful window into the provisions of our ever-faithful and loving Father. Keep your eyes open; a story awaits, just for you, friend!