Finding the Path

Sometimes, life looks a little bit like these woods; if there’s a path, I’m not seeing it. Mind you, I can see beauty and possibility, but definitely no clear or obvious path. The path is overgrown, overshadowed, and unknown to me. And you know what, I don’t like it.

I like to know what happens next. I like to have the answers. I like to think I can do this all on my own. But that’s not how life works most of the time. And I get that; I even understand why, at least deep in my heart. I understand if any of those three things were true — I knew what was going to happen, had all the answers I needed, or could do this journey alone — I wouldn’t need faith.

Even so, I still yearn for those three things because it seems easier. It seems easier until.

Until the world’s brokenness threatens to break me.

Until life’s struggles seek to steal my hope and my joy.

Until the darkness closes in.

Until the chaos overwhelms me and I can’t find my way out.

Until the hurt and struggle threaten to consume me.

And sometimes, I let it. I let my circumstances break me and I allow myself to feel the raw and vulnerable emotions that have built up inside. I give myself permission to not be okay, but to hurt and to rail.