Word Count: 666

Contact Don Pedal

The Path of Life

by Don Pedal  
10/31/2014 / Christian Living

With the advantage of age, I look back at my life and see a common thread through all I have experienced. It is like a trail that started in the lower meadows at the foot of a beautiful mountain.
Life was good in those lower meadows. The sun was so bright and the breeze warm and gentle. Life was exciting, new, and filled with wonder. I soaked it up, filled my lungs with it, and slowly moved up that trail towards my wonderful future.
When I reached the upper part of the meadow, the trail became steeper and life was not so sunny and warm. I began to ask myself, what is life all about? Why am I here and what is my purpose and goals in life? I began to feel lonely --- searching for answers. A haunting emptiness cast a shadow on my life.
As I searched for answers, my efforts were rewarded. Love entered my life. Life was again exciting! I shared my feelings and goals with her as we stood together as one. We had each other and saw clearly the trail ahead of us.
As time went on, our love grew and we were blessed with a family. Life became more intense as we worked to care for this precious new family. The trail became steeper and seemed to blur. Cares of the world closed in on us. Career, children, health, education etc. consumed so much of our lives now. Though we did not realize it at the time, we were creating the memories that are so precious later in life. Searching for meaning, we began to spend time with God in prayer. It became a priority as the trail became steeper. We had a haunting feeling that time was precious and finite and that somewhere, in the upper reaches of this glorious mountain, the trail would end.
As time went by, our problems became more complex. Answers that seemed so black and white now seemed gray as a winter sky. Certainty was more elusive. We fought our battles, won some, lost some, but we were determined to keep climbing.


Time took its inevitable toll and we no longer enjoyed the vigor of youth. We looked at our home as a place of renewal and not just shelter. Long weekends, late nights and parties were a distant memory. Grandchildren became the new reality. As our family grew, our love for them grew also.We noticed our roles in life were changing. The terms Matriarch and Patriarch took on new meaning as we pondered our growing family.
As husband and wife, we began to think about slowing down, get more rest and think of retirement. We were feeling the "empty nest". What were our purposes and goals in life now? What if our health failed us? Are our retirement plans adequate? Yes, the trail was definitely steeper. We were leaving the upper meadow and moving toward the fog and haze ahead.
Our bodies and minds began to change again. Pain became our companion. What became of our glasses became more important than the daily news or the stock market. Confusion and fatigue lurked nearby but we were determined to keep climbing.
Suddenly, with little warning, our lives were forever changed. I lost my love of many years and was plunged into the dark world of despair, loneliness and depression. Dreams, goals and plans were cast aside. Although family was wonderful, the long lonely nights took their toll.
Slowly I healed and my goal to reach the upper meadow of life gained my attention. Then the day arrived. I climbed out of the cold and fog and found myself in a glorious meadow filled with warm sunshine, beautiful flowers, butterflies and birds.
I could not believe the beauty, warmth and sense of peace. Then I felt His presence. His love encompassed me and now I knew what the goal was.
I ran toward Him --- reached up --- and touched the hand of God!

As a senior citizen, I am dedicated to serving the Lord through sharing my experiences and insights with other believers. My primary focus is upon being an disciple of Jesus and, in being one, I can help others to find their spiritual way also.
This article is original and not copywrited

Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITERS

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! Click here and TRUST JESUS NOW

Read more articles by Don Pedal

Like reading Christian Articles? Check out some more options. Read articles in Main Site Articles, Most Read Articles or our highly acclaimed Challenge Articles. Read Great New Release Christian Books for FREE in our Free Reads for Reviews Program. Or enter a keyword for a topic in the search box to search our articles.

Enter comments below. Due to spam, all hyperlinks posted in the comments are now immediately disabled by our system.

Please type the following word below:

Not readable? Change text.

The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

Hire a Christian Writer, Christian Writer Wanted, Christian Writer Needed, Christian Content Needed, Find a Christian Editor, Hire a Christian Editor, Christian Editor, Find a Christian Writer