Staying on Familiar Paths

   Just after moving to Springville in 1987, Al arranged to have a large pond dug in the front of our property. In addition to the pond, he envisioned adding several walking paths to the landscape. Because we were both teaching full time, many weekends were spent working on that ambitious project.

   There were several steps involved in laying down the paths. He first had to figure out where the major walkways would be. Rather than straight lanes, Al wanted them to curve so that they would give some intrigue to the landscaping as well as being good for walking. Then the designated areas had to be cleared of weeds and leveled before laying down strips of heavy white plastic that were cut and curved by hand, using scissors.

   Next, a large truck delivered a mini-mountain of gravel just inside the front gate. The fine rocks had to be shoveled into the wheelbarrow and pushed over to a section of plastic, poured out and raked until that section of plastic was covered. It took numerous wheelbarrow trips to make even a small dent in the pile of gravel. One of the ‘volunteer’ helpers did a lot of complaining about the labor intensive work involved!

   Little by little, the paths grew longer. Finally after months of hard work and a couple more deliveries of decomposed granite, they were finished. In spite of all of the complaining, I had to admit that they looked nice and made my daily walks with the dogs easier.

    Erosion occurred with the passing of seasons. Occasionally, more rock needed to be put down in bare places. Weeds sprouted up along the edges or in the middle—wherever they could find a little soil in which to send down roots and work their way through the thick plastic. Al was vigilant in pulling them out or spraying them. In the fall, when leaves, twigs and acorns would litter the pathways, he’d take the blower around and clean them off… “So that it’s easier for you to walk,” he would say. And so it was.

   Of course there were those times when I was chasing after the dogs and not watching where I was going which resulted in tripping over a stump or stepping into a hole. Pulled muscles, bumps and bruises reminded me to stay on the paths—one of the reasons they were created in the first place!

   After twenty-six years of use, the paths are now well worn. Much of the gravel is now embedded in the ground. The evergreen trees and oaks which line their edges have grown tall and in some places have formed archways overhead with their branches, adding that sense of intrigue which was initially desired.

   There have been many animals besides our dogs that have also made use of the walkways…deer, raccoons, neighborhood cats, quail, even ducks which occasionally come out of the pond and bravely walk up to the birdfeeders. Al’s good care of the paths has benefited them, as well as me.

   With our move to Michigan, it seems like we will be leaving behind everything familiar. Are any of you experiencing the same thing? Major changes?  God is faithful and will guide each of us as long as we continue walking on the “familiar paths” which have been established in our lives: the habits of prayer, gratitude, studying the Bible, seeking to know Him personally and worshipping Him—individually as well as with other believers. May we always stick to these tried and true paths!

 “This is what the Lord says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.’” Jeremiah 6:16 NIV

                                                        WHICH WAY?

 Decisions are seldom easy

and often make me perplexed

Which turn to take? What choice to make?

Which path should be taken next?

My Shepherd desires to guide me,

to walk with me day by day.

No need to fear,,,the Lord is near

And He will show me the way.

Judy Lowery (5-18-16)