Taking the Side Roads in Life

In June we received the medical report that told us my cancer was ramping up and expanding into other organs. On that same day, I made a decision to shop for a new camera and live life doing some things I enjoy doing.

Lately, I’ve been intentionally avoiding interstate travel, or even normal 4-lane roads, and driving on the side roads. Literally the roads less traveled by others. It’s been like little mini-adventures, and Ben and I have seen some beautiful countryside.

We’ve also felt very lost, and we’ve even had to take a few detours along the way.

And we have 100% of the time added “time” to our traveling.

BUT–What grand experiences we have had! We would have missed some simply beautiful sights if we had stayed on the fast interstates. Instead, I have gotten the opportunity to enjoy spending time with my hubby–he’s my best friend, and even after 29 plus years, he’s my number one choice of a hang-out partner.

Sometimes life throws us all kinds of bumps in the road, changes, and detours. When we learn to look at these issues through the lenses of what is God doing in this situation that we can’t see, then we become more accepting of the changes. Our questions change from “why?” to “what” and “how”. What do I need to do to meet God where He is working? What is He trying to teach me? How can I grow through this experience?

We would have never “planned” a cancer detour, and it is not always a pretty or fun side road to be on, but we are steadily learning new things about God and His character.

One of the discoveries we have made along this side road is the importance of setting goals and planning for our future. It’s been very difficult for us both to do this because of the looming unknowns. Even now I have learned to set goals for 6 months down the road, but it is still difficult to look years into the future. Again, we are making baby steps in the right direction.

That’s the reason I still shopped for the camera and bought a jewel of a camera later that week back in June. I did it not knowing how many days I have left to use it. I purchased this camera because it represents trusting God with the exact number of days I have left.

One of the ways I am using that new camera is by focusing on His creation. From the smallest little creature to the majestic view from a mountainside–His creativity abounds in nature.

It ultimately says, for however many days I have, I want to spend them living a full life! I still want to pursue God, love my husband, children, grands, family, and friends. I still want to find time for my personal creativity and also for experiencing God’s creativity in nature.

My counselor and I had a discussion about unfinished projects one day. I was concerned that I might die before I completed some things I felt I needed to accomplish. One of the ways she helped me to reframe this thought was to realize that if I was really living I would die with unfinished projects. But only if I was really living! She also helped me to realize that whatever things are left “incomplete” were really never mine to complete in the first place. I wouldn’t die until I completed the tasks “God” wanted me to complete, which may or may not be the same things I have put on my mental list.

Do you realize how freeing that concept is?

It is good to have goals and dreams, but we need to make sure that we are anchoring them on God’s heart and purpose for our life which is to glorify Him and share the life-transforming gospel of Jesus.

These verses remind me that God’s creation is magnificent, amazing, and created to lead you to the creator Himself.

But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?

Job 12:7-9

Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.

Revelation 4:11

In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.

Psalm 95:4-5

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Psalm 19:1

How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small.

Psalm 104:24-25

These are just a few of the pictures I’ve made on the side roads the past few months. Isn’t it amazing to see God’s creativity and His character in His handiwork?

Let me challenge you to stop trying to get places fast, get off of the interstate and go travel some side roads in life. You never know where the Lord may take you or the beauty you may see. I can promise you that you will be delighted with His beautiful world!