The Road I Thought Was Meant For Me

The road I thought was meant for me

fails to resemble

what I wanted to see.

It twists,

it turns,

it crumbles-

                blocked here

                broken there

                and strewn with boulders.

The confidence

that filled me

at the start of the journey

has failed me.

My strength is draining,

my courage waning,                                                                                

I find myself whining,

and calling for You.

“It’s not fair!” I cry out.

“I won’t find my way out!

Surely this road cannot be…

the one that was meant for me?”

Then there you are, beside me,

taking my hand so gently

as we climb over,

go around,

duck under

the carnage on the path.

Somehow I keep moving forward,

my hand held firm in Yours;

one foot in front of the other,

courage and hope restored.

Only You can lead me

down this distorted path

and reveal the hidden beauty

on my own, I would have passed.

The broken places—filled with light!

The twists and turns that bring delight!

The stars we can’t see without the night—

and the flowers that grow through cracks.

Yes, the road I thought was meant for me

would never be what you wanted for me

                until it twisted

                            turned

                            and cracked

and all manner of obstacles filled my path—

and I reached for You,

and took Your hand,

and let You lead me

around the bend,

to see the beauty

You had in store

not just at the end,

but in the journey before.

Your steadfast presence

is what strengthens me,

and through Your eyes

I begin to see that

holding Your hand

is where I need to be

as I walk the road

that was meant for me.

photo credit: Dmitriy Popoff on istockphoto.com