Unpaved Road Ahead

Greetings of the Lenten season to all of you!

As we have begun the journey into these forty days, I would like to share with you an experience I had this past Fall.

My husband and I were immensely blessed with an opportunity to fly to the Colorado Rockies, thanks to some good friends willing to babysit for a week.

Our cabin was nestled in the beautiful Breckenridge Mountains at a stunning 10,000 feet.

It was a glorious view and quite an ascent driving from the lower altitude in town up to the cabin.

Each time we made our way up, the rental car GPS would sound out a warning:

“Caution, unpaved road ahead.”

But the road we were on was paved.

The repetition of this became humorous to us over time.

What unpaved road? All is smooth here.

Well one day we found it.

 We set out on a journey to the Great Continental Divide, and discovered just past the comfort of our cabin was where the paved road ended.

It was the same road we had been traveling daily…

…it just changed.

It started off as gravel.  No problem! 

But then as the road continued, it became increasingly rugged. 

Until it was rocky.

Oh. That’s where those mountains got their name.

This is where it is worth mentioning that our rental car was a four door Sedan. Not exactly fit for off-road excursions.

Well it was our first time in the Rockies, live and learn. 

After we witnessed a few 4×4 vehicles passing by with ease, we began to wonder if we were equipped for this journey.

Could we make it on the rugged path in this vehicle?

Not only was the road bumpy, but it also had many sharp turns in which we could not see what was around the bend.

Would the road become rockier or would it level out? Should we continue forward without knowing what lies ahead?

 I started to think about what could happen if we blew out a tire and were stranded at this elevation. 

There was a steep drop-off at many points on the road, with little room for other cars to pass. And sunset would soon be approaching.

This is when I began to listen to that voice of fear.

And the more I listened, fear became panic.

I told my husband to turn around and take us back to the cabin. 

Although I desired the experience of The Continental Divide, my fear became greater and I was afraid to move forward.

My courageous husband felt it was safe to press on, and trusted the ruggedness would soon end.

Right about this time my 3:00 phone alarm went off  which is set as a daily reminder to pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet. 

As always, The Lord’s timing is spot-on. 

So we continued forward in prayer, reciting the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

Traveling slowly and cautiously…

while interiorizing the deep message in this prayer: 

Jesus I trust in you

When we finished praying, I noticed my fear had dissipated and I had a renewed sense of safety and confidence.

Then I felt these words spoken into my heart: 

“Now are you ready to see The Continental Divide?”

Yes Lord!

And then very soon… the road smoothed out.

It became more like gravel as it had started.

Then we arrived.

The Continental Divide. 

The prize

The views were amazing!

The road of life is much like the unpaved road.  

We journey along smoothly and in comfort. Then things can change with or without warning.

Maybe the road can get bumpy with sickness, death, personal tragedy, difficulties in family life. Or just the general uncertainty of the times we are living in. 

Whatever the trial may be, there is no way to know what is around the bend.

We have to move forward with Trust in the one who helps us along the way.

It was the strength of my spouse  (earthly and divine), which made it possible for me to move forward on the journey that day. We proceeded in Trust, and the road became smoother.

If we get caught up in the fear of what can happen to us along the road, we can become paralyzed and unable to move ahead. 

The Lord will equip us with whatever vehicle is needed to reach our destination. Our Prize.

The Holy Spirit inflates our tires and provides the spiritual torque we need to get over the bumps.

Sometimes the journey is so rugged that it must be traveled on foot.

On another day of our trip we journeyed up to one of the peaks, leaving our car behind up to a certain point because the upper part of the road is  impassable for vehicles.

 It was a steep and rugged hike.  Strong sidewinds were blowing and the high altitude brought about a need to take stops and catch our breath.

But the beautiful view was like no other. 

I remember calculating each step carefully because of the jagged rocks, trying to avoid twisting an ankle or falling.

My husband told me to follow in the path of his footsteps, as he navigated the flattest rocks to step on for traction.

I watched his feet closely, taking one step at a time.

It brought a great sense of confidence knowing I was being led safely.

Like the other journey, this mountain ascent also took place during the 3:00 hour of mercy,  and on a Friday. 

With each difficult step I meditated on Our Lord’s climb up Calvary, and united my suffering to His. 

This brought me strength to continue the climb, even as I felt out of breath.

And so it is as we travel on the unpaved road with our spouse, Jesus.

When things are difficult, He guides us through the rubble, clearing a safe path for us to follow Him. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5

And when it is too difficult for us to walk, He will carry us.

Not long ago while I was praying I got an image in my mind of walking with Jesus on a path.

We stopped as we came to a point on the path where there were many rocks, some of them large and sharp. It appeared too difficult to walk on.

Then, he picked me up and said He would carry me across this part.

I understood this to be about a coming trial.

Sure enough, in the following week I entered into an intense purification involving a very deep healing. This was followed by some trials in our family. It was all difficult. 

But while in the thick of it I remembered..

 I was being carried.

He never abandons us and is closest to us in our trials. 

So as we journey through life and through Lent, we will experience unexpected bumps along the way and steep ascents in the spiritual life.

This is to train us for heaven: the ultimate prize.

Trust in The Lord with all your heart, and He will always provide the guidance needed. 

Sometimes He may even speak through your GPS (lol).

I realize now the significance of the words: “Caution, unpaved road ahead”, as this occurred right before we sold our house and our family has had to move twice in 4 months. In between we caught the virus and experienced some other trials. There have been challenges. 

But through it we have been made stronger and have grown in Trust and in greater intimacy with The Lord. 

Pray, trust and follow His footsteps.

Unite your sufferings with His while meditating on His love for you at Calvary.

Allow Him to help and even carry you during your greatest trials as you journey through the times we are in which can be abundant with unpaved roads. 

We have such a good God and the care He gives each one of us demonstrates His unfailing, unstoppable and everlasting love.

May you rest in His arms with confidence and assurance. May you grow in deep communion with Him.

Have a most blessed Lent!