Other Challenges

Other Challenges

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Psalm 16:11

I’m saddened by women who stay in bad relationships, the entire time telling themselves things will get better. They seldom do.

I learned that not from a relationship but from an autumn walk. I had driven my two children to school and decided to walk home, leaving the car for my return walk. I looked across the field to my right and decided to take the shortcut. Soon my shoes and socks were wet from the dew. The grass was deeper than I had thought, but it surely wouldn’t get any deeper. I’d keep going.

After a few feet, the field sloped. The grass that had looked only ankle deep from the parking lot was now up to my knees.

I paused, looking at the grass ahead. My shoes, socks, and slacks are already soaked, I thought. It can’t get any worse. In less than a dozen steps, however, the grass was over my head! I slogged ahead, feeling as if I were fighting through the jungle in some B movie.

I’d gone too far now to go back. The worst was over. A few more steps, and I’d be across the field. Sure enough, as I plunged ahead, the grass got shorter. It was at my waist, then my knees, and finally just over my shoes. I was free!

My rejoicing was short-lived. Ahead was a deep, mud-filled gully. I studied the muddy slopes that would be impossible to conquer. In a moment of wild Tarzan fantasy, I surveyed the large tree nearby, looking for a vine on which I could swing over. Nothing.

I looked back at the grassy field. I didn’t want to claw my way through that again. Surely I can climb this tree someway and—no, they’ll never find my body before spring.

I could do nothing but go back through that scary, wet grass. I drove home then, but in much worse shape than if I’d taken the long way in the first place.

Some good did come out of that experience: Now when I’m tempted to take what looks like the easy way out, I give the situation another look. And that second look has saved me from numerous difficulties. —SANDRA

Lord, I identify with this scenario. I’ve stayed in bad relationships because I was convinced things had to get better. Instead, I invested time, money, and even myself in wasteful situations. Help me to ask for your direction and to make better decisions in the future.

In our relationship with God, the problem isn’t that he doesn’t speak; it’s that we are often unwilling to listen.

—SANDRA D. WILSON, RETIRED FAMILY THERAPIST, SEMINARY PROFESSOR, AND AUTHOR