Oh, The Places You'll Go

 

I've loved this book ever since I was a child and have even been given this exact book several times as a gift. It speaks to my life in more ways than one, but I never thought I would get to a point in life where the words would mean so much. Where I would tear up at the innocent rawness shown in this children's book. But, I found myself reading it today, I couldn't find the actual book I had been given (it's probably stashed under my bed in one of the many boxes I haven't unpacked yet since being home,) and so I read it online. Right here, and I found myself with tears gathering in my eyes as I reflected on the imagery shown throughout it and how much it spoke into my life right now.

This book is full of adventure and options. Full of paths, and roads, and "out of towns."

It talks a lot about choices, and how each one has an impact on our path in life. But, something it also touches on is the fact that not every path is known by us. Sometimes we choose paths that we think will lead to a certain thing, only to find out that they lead to another. My life has been a lot like that recently. I've had many paths laid out before me the past few months, some of them I've ignored, some of them I've considered, and some of them I have chosen. But friends, let me be honest. The path I chose took me down a road I never thought I would travel. One full of heartbreak, mourning, misery and lots of sadness.  I'd like to think that according to this marvelous Dr. Suess book that I took the choice to go out of town. To spread my wings in the wide "opener" air and fly a little. But when I got to the wide open air things started happening. Things that led to my broken heart and my abundance of tears. The first couple of miles on my path were horrible, but then things kept happening and my misery began to turn into something so much more. You see, I did what the book advised against, I started to worry and stew, but then I stopped. And I prayed. And instead of worrying, I just was. Have you ever just been? Ever just existed, and let life hit you however it wants? Let me tell you what, you definitely will start happening too! Before I knew it, I was happier than I had ever been, I was breathing in a new kind of air and finding out so many things about the path I had chosen. 

Somehow you'll escape all that waiting and staying You'll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing.
With banner flip-flapping, once more you'll ride high! Ready for anything under the sky. Ready because you're that kind of a guy!
Oh, the places you'll go! There is fun to be done! There are points to be scored. There are games to be won.

After a few rough miles I can now say that I have fallen in love with the path I have chosen. It has brought me different kinds of sunshine and different kinds of blue skies. I have connected with so many new people that I can now call friends, I have started a job that is all about ministry for Him and I am beyond grateful for the people who have walked beside me during this hard, yet amazing journey. (I'm talking about you mom and dad and Morgan!)
And just like the book says, I have many more paths to choose, and sometimes I will be mixed up and confused. But, each path I've chosen so far has gotten me here and I wouldn't change any of them. So friends, you too have a choice. You can choose any path you want to travel down, but don't expect it to take you exactly where you want to go, and definitely don't expect it to be easy!



My journey isn't over, I have many more paths to choose, many more mountains to climb, and many more uncertainties to face. But I am enjoying it, the peacefulness and joy of finding out who you truly are is beyond satisfying. Oh, the Places You'll Go....indeed and I can't wait to go to some more! :)