For some reason, we tend to look for the smooth paths in life, avoiding the rocks and stones and other impediments that emerge along the way. Or we avoid the rocky paths altogether, seeing them and immediately searching for a smoother road, one that would be easier to traverse.
But many times the rocky roads are not something we can plan to encounter or figure out how to avoid. They just happen...unexpectedly, surprisingly and most of the time, unwelcomed.
What if we looked at the stones differently? What if in each stone/challenge we saw an opportunity to ask God to help us confront and get through it? What if in each impediment along the journey we saw an opportunity for to grow stronger, deeper in faith and surrender control to the strong and ever-present arms of God?
What if each stone reminded us to take one day at a time, putting one foot in front of the other and believing that with God's help, we will get through this time of rocky challenge?
This is not to gloss over the challenges of the rocky roads. But since we cannot completely avoid them, why not embrace them and see in every rock some learning that will shape our lives for the future challenges/rocks we will most certainly encounter?
Rev. J. Elise Brown, Ph.D.