Will B. “Reaching My Destination”
On the road to who we become, do we ever actually make it to the destination? I have been re-watching one of my favorite TV series, which I won’t name out of embarrassment when I heard this phrase, and it sure got me thinking hard.
I am a very linear thinker and person. Everything I do, I try to have an A to Z plan, a beginning and an ending. I think linear and prefer everything to be linear. For example, if I am watching a movie, I hate movies that start at the end then work their way back to show how they ended. Or, if I am working on a project, say a room remodel, I want to plan every detail from beginning to end and have all the tools and materials on hand before starting.
I have always thought the same way when thinking about my journey in life. I will do work until this age, then do this at this age, which will be the outcome of following this path. The same for my growth as a Christian. Let me tell you, life and God have their own way of how and when I will grow as a person and exactly where it will lead.
As a photographer, I began first by liking photos. It grew into a hobby, and naturally, I turned it into a profession. Very linear. That was not the end of that particular destination, though. I continually learn almost on a week-by-week basis about photography. After 30 years in photography, I thought I would know everything and have no room to grow and simply practice my craft. Not so I don’t think I will ever reach a destination in photography; I hope I don’t, at least.
As a Christian, much like my experience in photography, I expected a linear experience. I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior and became saved; I found a church and became a member, and later I became baptized. There really is not enough room in a year’s worth of Will B articles to explain how many twists, turns, ups, and downs I have gone through in my journey of being a Christian. I am learning new things as a Christian almost weekly as well. This is one journey that I know has a destination, but the road to get there is the mystery. What twists and turns will I be presented on my journey? Will I choose the right turns? Will I stay on the right road? I can confidently say that I will choose correctly and reach my destination, which is to be with God and Jesus when I shed this mortal coil. This is called faith. I have always been blessed with a very strong faith that God will always carry me through my troubles. I have many struggles, but through faith in God, I know I will never have to go through these trials alone.
The Footprints in the Sand has always been my favorite poem and never fails to give me comfort. This is Will B saying, I hope it may give you comfort as well.
“Footprints in the Sand” by: Flora Haines Loughead. ‘One night I dreamed a dream. As I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord. After the last scene of my life flashed before me, I looked back at the footprints in the sand. I noticed that at many times along the path of my life, especially at the very lowest and saddest times, there was only one set of footprints. This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it. “Lord, you said once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life, there was only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why, when I needed You the most, you would leave me. He whispered, ‘My precious child, I love you and will never leave you Never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.