I drove for miles. The blustery winds had calmed and the rain had stopped. There was no excuse. I had to find a path before it would begin to rain again. Where’s my path?
I found the local parks closed “for the season” including the botanical garden and Eagle View Park. I kept driving around for more than an hour thinking: There has got to be a park with a path somewhere in Dubuque that is still open. (Why would you close a public path, anyway?)
For me, walking is a physical and spiritual necessity, not a pastime. I’m going somewhere and I am praying, too, when I walk. So, not to find a walking path is frustrating on both accounts.
My fundamental prayer these days is something like: “Show me the path that you want me to walk.” As long as I can discern some direction to my life, I’m O.K. I expect Our Lord to answer my prayer with signs along my life’s path. He always has.
Spiritually I’ve lost my way many times. Then I pray: Where should I go? What should I do? How shall I handle this issue? Do you want me to say something specific to help this individual, or is silence better? Let me know, Lord.
Most often I have to wait…wait for the signs. When I can see that I am fitting in somehow or being able to help in some way, that’s all the direction I need.
Here are the signs which Our Lord shows me from time to time: Stop! Slow Down! Turn Here! Pull over! Go on Green Light! Steep road ahead! Caution! Have a nice day!
You get the idea.
I was one mile from my hotel and I had given up on walking today. But, then I noticed that parallel to my four lane highway was a bike path that appeared to go on and on. I pulled over into a strip-mall parking lot and spent an hour walking up and down hills with traffic a hundred feet away.
One friendly bicyclist passed me going in the opposite direction. He knew where he was going and he was getting there fast. He was the only other person on the path. It was overcast and cold but I was warm and peaceful as I walked, grateful for not missing the path that was right in front of me.
Our Lord’s signs are clear, though you have to keep looking. Don’t give up! Watch for the right path and when you find it, take it.