At our home, we are Shel Silverstein fans. Here’s one for today:
I went to find the pot of gold
That’s waiting where the rainbow ends.
I searched and searched and searched and searched
And searched and searched, and then–
There it was, deep in the grass,
Under and old and twisty bough.
It’s mine, it’s mine, it’s mine at last. . . .
What do I search for now?
So often we think that there is some great destination that we’re waiting for. We find ourselves “killing time” (a horrible phrase) just waiting for that destination. We forget that it’s the journey itself that is full of life.
You can’t wait for your kids to grow up so you can have a little peace and quiet. There is the joy of the journey.
You can’t wait for retirement so you can play golf. There is the joy of the journey.
You can’t wait for your church to “do things right” so you can be happy. There is the joy of the journey.
You can’t wait for American to get back to the good old days. There is the joy of the journey.
Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Lion, and the Scarecrow are headed to Oz. But the heart, the courage, and the brain they need come from the journey–not from the diminutive wizard behind the curtain.
Bilbo Baggins’ walking song has it right:
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
I have my eyes on an incredible destination. But the journey is filled with joy–even in the midst of pain. I don’t want to miss that joy!
What’s out there on the road for you this day? Don’t put off today waiting for Friday. Don’t blow off this week waiting for next week or this month waiting for next month or this year waiting for next year. Too many people miss life waiting for something better.
Look out today and smile at THAT spouse, THOSE kids, THAT job, THOSE friends, THAT church, THOSE neighbors.