A Different Course

A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.

—Proverbs 16:9 HNV

My cousin told me she couldn’t go on our usual walk on the farm this morning. Although disappointed, I decided to go alone. I needed the exercise, and it would give me some time to pray. I had a lot on mind lately. With school starting soon, I fretted over the new course I’d been assigned to teach. The subject is not familiar to me. I will have to crack the books and watch slews of videos to be prepared, which means giving up a few of my precious remaining days of summer break to devote to it. That, I resented.

I donned my sneakers and set out for my usual course along the Chaptico Bay. Gravel crunched beneath my feet as I passed my cousin’s house and made my way through the barnyard. Then I stopped dead in my tracks. What! My passage through the pasture was cut off by an electrified fence.

Sometimes my farmer brother moves cattle to forage in different places and corrals them in with the fence, which keeps me out—and restricts my access to the waterfront.

Cattle Crossing

Humpf! I almost stomped my foot. But my thoughts were interrupted with the stomping of cattle crossing right in front of me. Some cows turned to look at me before venturing across. Others wasted no time. Mothers mooed for their calves to move along, but I couldn’t help but think they were mooing at me to move along, too. So after I snapped a few photos, I did.

At the barnyard, I met up with my octogenarian father who still keeps busy with farm chores. When I explained to him my plight, he suggested I roll under the fence to get to the other side. But I decided that the fact my pastureland passage was blocked was enough shock for me today and opted for another route.

Sunny faces bring a smile to mine

I turned down the tree-lined lane toward my parents’ home and was immediately welcomed with a cool breeze brushing my cheeks. Ahhh…

Picking up my step, I praised God for this glorious morning. A few strides in, a field of vibrant sunflowers appeared on my left. Wow! I couldn’t resist—I stepped right in the middle of the my-size-flowers and snapped a picture of their sunny faces. And by then, my face was beaming right back at them.

I continued on my walk past the barely red chicken house and then onto my parents’ stately home, white with green trim and a wide front porch, where my siblings and I spent many summer days, sprawled out, playing on the sun-splashed floor and wishing summer vacation would never end. I smiled at the memory and continued on my way.

Clearing the entanglement

When I reached the fork in the lane, I caught sight of the smooth clearing beneath the trees, once occupied by thick undergrowth and a tangle of vines that invited me and my siblings to play Tarzan—and sneaky snakes to find a home. Now green grass, cut short by my father, covers the spot, and I decided I like this way better than the way it was. I lingered a little longer and breathed in deeply…and exhaled slowly. Peace.

Then I turned in the direction of my home, my steps a little lighter, my thoughts untangled, and my spirit renewed. And in my heart, I decided to trust my Father’s plans for the rest of the course.

Dear Heavenly Father, even when it doesn’t seem like it, I know You have my best interests at stake (Romans 8:28). Help me to remember that roadblocks aren’t necessarily “stop signs,” but rather “detours.” I know You want me to keep walking, but to take a different course, smiling at the memories while pressing on to explore the new. Whether it’s a new walking course or a new course to teach, may I keep my eyes open for all You have in store—the sights along the way and new pasture to forage. Amen.