The Path

Psalm 37:23-24 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
23 If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;
24 though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

The day is cloudy, but unseasonably mild for November and the grass and fields have the look of muddy March. The dark evergreens stand straight and tall, in contrast with the rakish weeping willows whose green-yellow leaves are still clinging, on branches that trail like the fringe on an elegant shawl and sway gently in the breeze like the plumes of a large feathered fan.

I'm driving north on Bayview Avenue. Passing through Richmond Hill, the signs left over from the election the day before still line the road and I am struck by the multicultural mixture of names: Spatafora, Gandhi, Duggal, Cohen, Chan, Di Paola, Halferty, Bagsavanadis and Kahn--post election day in York Region!

A man walks along the grass verge, collecting some of the signs, white with blue lettering. Grey hair to match the day, his face looks sombre--probably his candidate wasn't one of those victorious last night.

I think, as I drive about the path of life and how I don't believe it's all random the way things turn out.

I think about our children and some rough experiences they've had in jobs in the past. The dates are noted in my Daily Light on the Daily Path when they had particular struggles. The scriptures on those days always seemed to be so appropriate and encouraging. God has been faithful in their lives and I'm so grateful that they trust him, confident that he is directing their lives, even when the path is confusing, dark and painful.

For some friends whose son just had a car accident that could have been so much worse and other friends whose daughter is recovering painfully slowly from an eating disorder that has ravaged her young body--God is their children's refuge too.

Proverbs 14:26 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
26 He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress,
and for his children it will be a refuge.

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