Detours

On a journey, it is often the detours that provide the most interesting and lasting impressions. Life lessons often flow from them. Not only do we see that the unexpected can be interesting and rewarding, but we also learn not to fear it. The biggest detour of my life happened back four years ago with the passing of my husband. Before that, I was secure, things were handled for me, and I had no real worries.

Suddenly, I was thrust out on my own. I had to stand on my feet alone for the first time. With uncertainty, I took steps out. It helped that I had wonderful people around me for strength. After a while, that stopped; through no fault of those who were helping, as life goes on and things change. This was an expression of that change, and set the stage for the next area of growth.

I had never seen myself as being strong, intelligent and talented before. I had been marginalized and set aside so often. Things were happening so quickly and so intensely that I hardly had time to react. My strength was not my own, and I knew that. However, I did not know to look inside myself, and ran myself down. The recovery period that followed allowed me to look toward my strength and grow in that strength and in that, I found my own strength. Grace and Peace came over me, and I allowed myself to pursue even closer a path that I had started before. I am still battling tearing off the old self, and allowing the new self to shine through. I have seen glimmers of it, but it takes time to slough off all the old and let the new take its proper place.

So, back on the road, I am setting out on the map to my new destination. I am growing in confidence and allowing myself to accept opportunities and freely given gifts of love and peace. I am growing in His love and peace at the same time. I am a talented, beautiful and loveable person to Him who made me.