A WIDE PATH

You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping. Psalm 18:36

A few weeks ago I had to have oral surgery then subsequent post-op appointment. The surgeon and his assistant are very nice, cool and composed and kept me entertained while having gum surgery. You know it’s an ordeal when they are talking up a storm to keep you distracted. Plus, the view of the lake helped. I did lose it however a little when I started tasting and smelling blood – I know, gross. I was there so I know.

Because I had been in the office last year when I was in my very clunky black boots, the surgeon and assistant were very happy for me when they noticed my current attractive footwear. We actually talked quite a bit about the beach, walking on the sand, and my desire to get back out there. However, on the post-op visit, the assistant was one whom I had not met before. The look on her face said it all, “Mmmhmmm. Girl, what’s with the boots? I’m not wanting to say something, but someone has got to help you with your fashion because it’s not working for you - more like a disaster.”

Normally I am not that self-conscience about the brown clunky, untied boots, but when I saw her look, I wanted to crawl under the chair, hide the feet and pretend they belonged to someone else. These feet do not hide. They can’t. They are way too big and bulky. Besides, I am not truly ashamed of them. After all, I’ve come a long way, baby.

But she did not know that and I kept this information to myself. I was there to get a good report from the doc, which I did and then I took my feet, boots and laces and walked out.

Good thing I didn't trip on my way to the door.

(Did I mention that I DROVE to this appointment? My second time to drive in 2 years??? It was a momentous occasion. Huge in fact. )

And God is giving me a wide berth on which to walk. A wide path to get me back to a somewhat normal routine. Mind you, I do walk (about 100-150 yards at a stretch and that only once a day, sometimes) and I do go in cars, trucks, planes, trains (well, actually I haven’t done the 2 latter ones yet) but you get the drift. I am mobile. Just not fast, nor on my own very much and definitely not with heels (this one makes me sad to think about my closet full of heels) or running shoes.

I think God has a sense of humor. He knows that this chick needs a wide path – I cannot stop and turn sharply. I just cannot. So, He gives me ample space to move around.

HIS PATHS ARE WONDERFUL AND GOOD

He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Psalm 23:3 NIV

Show me Thy ways O LORD; teach me Thy paths. Psalm 25:4 KJV

All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. Psalm 25:10 KJV

Mark out a straight path for your feet, stay on the path. Proverbs 4:26

As you can see there are many verses about paths. I love paths. I love to wander down ones that lead to hidden places of great beauty. I love to walk on ones that are narrow because it’s a foot path, or on wide ones because many have traversed there before. I like ‘off the beaten path’ because I prefer the road less traveled. I like adventure and I like to see where God will take me. So many dichotomies in this paragraph that I guess it shows how long I’ve been in my room without free range – I definitely could not have “Free Range” stamped on my label. Not yet anyway.

Then there's –

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14

The path may be wide, but the gate to Jesus is narrow. God’s purpose is that many can find the path and many can see the gate. Unfortunately, only a few will walk through the gate. His will is that none should perish but have everlasting life instead (John 3:16), but God does not force His will on us. He gives us a choice.

Much like my wide path. I can walk close to the edge, in the middle or wander from edge to edge. It truly is my choice. And there are days when living on the edge is immensely satisfying. Other days I am more comfortable going down the middle because I don’t want to think about where I am going, I just want to get there. Tends to be less rocky, less ruts, less room for a misstep.

God gives me this wide path so my feet do not slip – slipping at this stage would not be a good thing. So God gives me wiggle room. If I need to take 2 steps forward and 1 back, so be it. If I want to side step, I can. He is with me all the time holding my hand, keeping my chin up so my eyes are fixed on Him as I walk – then I truly won’t slip.

Because He’s got me.

PRAYER

Father God, I thank You for giving me a wide path on which to walk with my booted feet. Because of Your kindness I have a wide path, one filled with grace upon grace and one where You hold my hand. I am thankful to be on this path with You and for Your leading me on the righteous path. You are so good. AMEN