SIDES

Those places where we find ourselves when life takes out a journey beyond the normal. A side road towards a destination you are not clear as to the reason for its existence.

How often we venture to that location still full of questions. Ever asking why, but still walking anyway.

When time offers no answers, when our passage loses the flavor of zeal, it is the understanding we have the matters. For faith's wisdom will control our steps.

But does it always? No. For it is often a case of still not being sure. Faith is never perfect walk.

And we are not its pillar of confidence. So we travel with our imperfections. Find the journey difficult and awkward.

If we are truly honest and willing to accept that is our real essence. In that journey there is the mantel of grace to keep us warm.

And it does get dirty. It does get torn. But it will still cover us if we allow it to and keep going.

The danger come when we set standards that God never establish. Insert some group of rules to make it all an issue of will.

Oh my how that is so appealing. How it truly does give us the illusion of being in control, which we never are.

But inside it is how we see it. How we try hold onto to semblance of sanity. To gaze into any situation and make sense out of it.

Still we are human. And being human does not keep us from making mistakes. Hopefully can cling to the reality of grace in the process.

It is the hope that heals. The light in our darkness. The memory of how we walked before, stumbled and still survived.

Faith is not the absence of imperfections. Neither is it a void in doubt. What it is includes the willingness to keep moving.

And that only happens with the Lord's help. His spirit empowering when nothing else will keep us going.

For that we can be grateful. And for that we can savor the joy that with His continued help we will reach our destination.

Even if it is along a side road.