The Long Way

"It is because of faith that we exchange the present for the future." -Saint Fidelis of Sigmaringen 

I remember writing a poem in the sixth grade about riding my bike! We lived in Seattle at the top of a hill and I was fond of riding my bike between the green trees on summer nights, as the sun danced in pink and orange across the sky ahead of me! I would glide up and down the hill and through the streets until my mom called me inside. I loved riding my bike! I loved it so much, I wrote a poem about it. 

This past week I escaped to an adorable little town off Lake Tahoe. The evergreens, and mountain air caught my heart right away. And the view, which was quite literally the type Nicholas Sparks writes about in his books, stole my breath from the get go! I spent the days in the sun with my family! We lounged in the lake, rode horses up the hills and floated on a pontoon over clear blue water. I loved every minute. But the day we arrived, I fell in love. I found there in the garage of the cabin the cutest beach cruiser a girl ever did see! And immediately declared it my bicycle for the week. 

I rode back and forth from one cabin to the next. I filled my basket with beach towels, sunscreen, and money for the coffee shop. I used the bike in the morning, in the evening, and every moment I could in between. I found myself coming up with excuses to go back and fourth just because I loved riding the bike. 

And then there was this one day, the day that I thought to myself, go around the block the long way to the lake. The scorching sun beat against my back, but the excitement of riding on a new piece of land thrilled me. 

As I peddled along the narrow street I soaked in the sweet little houses, and beautiful trees. I turned myself toward the lake and enjoyed the view. It may have been the only moment I was alone all week and I treasured it so greatly. I went the long way and arrived at my destination only a few minutes later, full of so much peace. 

Vacations give us the advantage of time. So often in life the only choice is to take the most direct route. Even on our drive home I was looking up directions for the quicker path. How often can we really say I would rather drive down by the beach on my way to work so I'll wake up 20 minutes earlier? Or do we ever think, let's just go a little out of our way to get to the party, there are some cool streets over there I'd like to explore? Usually the scenic route is out of the question since I'm already about 15 minutes late. Time never really gives us much of a choice to just be. That is until you find a bike while on vacation. 

And in those moments, where time is a gift and I can explore up and down the road in front of me, I'm reminded of the journey my own life has brought to me. So often, I feel like I'm taking the LONG way. And by long, I mean long. And I get anxious because the destination is right there. I can see it. And yet my heart takes me around the block, in the trees, off the paved road and sometimes the way with the best view. I'm trying to be less concerned about the destination and more in love with every moment time, and God, gives me. But in world where things are fast and furious, I struggle so often. 

My moment in the mountains left me with a small reminder; there's no real rush. You'll get there eventually.  And sometimes, God knows all you need is a good view and a little peace of mind before you arrive.

So take the long way, if He lets you. Time passes anyways, might as well take in everything the road you are on has to offer. Sometimes the long way is the best way. Sometimes it's the only way for you. Sometimes the long way takes a long time. Sometimes it seems like it barely derails you. Sometimes

God gives you the short cut. 

But no matter the way, short or long, it's the way God calls you to go! Enjoy it. Thank Him for it. And trust that in time, the destination you long to reach will be yours!! You never know, it could be waiting just around the corner on your way to the lake.