Miles to Go

The woods are lovely dark and deep,

but I have promises to keep.

and miles to go before I sleep...

-Robert Frost

One of my favorite poets penned these words many years ago, 

and I took them to heart, to mean I had much to do in this world as I serve God.

One thing I do these days is take a walk with Tim and Rosie

through the wooded area in our park.

That's where much of the inspiration comes from for my blog.

I often think about and pray about what God wants me to do, 

to make, to write, who He wants me to interact with and love on.

God knows my path, and I'm glad my journey often meanders through the woods.

 

The Road Not Taken

Psalm 23:2-3
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

What path should I take? One of my favorite poems is Robert Frost's The Road Not Taken. A man walking along the woods comes to a Y in the road and wonders which path to take. He talks about the yellow of the forest, I imagine a beautiful autumn day with the breeze waving. One path he describes has marks of wear, where another may have trod. But he chooses the one with grass still green and leaves untouched, the one less traveled. He even considers that he might come back to take the other road someday, but doubts that because one road leads off to another. In his final words, he claims that the road less traveled has made all the difference.

I used to think I related to the poem just because I wanted to be different. Take the less traveled road because no one else did. But I believe there was a deeper stirring in my soul. God's Holy Spirit encouraged me to swim with the salmon. Take the less traveled path. So I chose to follow Jesus. His road isn't easy, there are bumps and curves but I know with all my heart His road leads to joy and abundant life, both here on earth and in heaven. By following the trail He's created for me, I accept my role in life and intertwine with the people He wants me to meet. And it has made all the difference. Praise God for leading on His path.

April is National Poetry Month

Robert Frost is one of my favorite poets. I read many of his poems growing up and had to memorize this one in high school. 

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening 
by Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know. 
His house is in the village though; 
He will not see me stopping here 
To watch his woods fill up with snow. 

My little horse must think it queer 
To stop without a farmhouse near 
Between the woods and frozen lake 
The darkest evening of the year. 

He gives his harness bells a shake 
To ask if there is some mistake. 
The only other sound’s the sweep 
Of easy wind and downy flake. 

The woods are lovely, dark and deep. 
But I have promises to keep, 
And miles to go before I sleep, 
And miles to go before I sleep.