Autumn Musings

Late this beautiful afternoon I took a walk on our hike-bike trail. When last I walked there, Spring was was in the air and on every side the promise of a new season. Today, the year has moved on to produce its fullest. Verdant undergrowth almost obliterates views of the stream. A few clumps of yellow show in the trees, and red adds color among the bushes and in climbing vines. Tall corn on the other side of this little river is brown now, awaiting harvest. The weather is perfect. This is Central Nebraska at its best!

Since that Spring day, I've walked other trails, and travelled many roads. The realization came a few days ago that this past year has been the best of my life. Doubtless there have been other years I may have thought the same thing about, but it nice to bring it to the present.

So, when did the year begin? Twelve months ago I was in Sweden waiting for my visa to go to Russia. I won't list again the paths since then. Mostly, my blog tells of them. How did it all come about? I don't really know. It was step by step; invitation; opportunity; choice. This afternoon lines of one of my favorite poems came to mind, "Two paths diverged in a yellow wood", and the last lines, "And I, I chose the path less traveled by, and that has made all the difference".

Another line of that poem, speaking of the other path, not chosen, and the thought of walking it another time, says "...knowing how way leads unto way, I doubt that I will ever come back". (My quotes are exact as I don't have the poem in front of me.) No...in thinking about it, it is not possible to really come back. Things and people around us change with time. The storms and the sunshine of life, and the work of growth and aging never leave us the same. Life has moved on. In this past year there have been deaths; marriages; birthdays and new births. Just a few days ago, a brand new great-granddaughter came into our family! No, we are never the same and we wouldn't want to go back.

Since I wrote last, the days in the field with Jana ended and preps and conventions have followed. Rain from heaven has softened our hearts again; seed has been sown again; our purposed renewed; faith increased; courage strengthened. In short, our lives have again been greatly enriched.

Now, though it isn't yet what we look at as the new calendar year, a new year begins. Many ask me "Where are you going next?" I don't have an answer yet for that question. One little quote (not exact) I've liked says a lot:

"I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year, 'give me a light that I may go out into the darkness'. He said unto me, 'Go, put your hand into the hand of God. It will be better to you than a light and safer than a known way'."

A little poem I've kept gives the real answer:

"I turn my face from gone-by,
to that which lies before;
a sea of possibilities,
and I upon the shore.
And see so much that would invite,
so much that would dismay;
but courage rises in my heart
that God will plan the way.