Journey On!

 When I see a road or path, it may cause me to wonder where it leads. It may beckon me. Or it may cause me to say, "No way am I going there!"  

I’ve taken dozens of photographs of roads and paths. One of my favorite images is this one I took while hiking in the Grand Teton National Park. 

As I look at the images I’ve captured through the years, I often think about other kinds of roads we have to journey on—the difficult roads of life that none of us want to travel on. For example: Disease Drive. Cripple Court. Ruin Road. Shame Street. Bitter Boulevard. Agony Avenue. Dead End Street. Despair Drive. Poverty Court. 

As we travel through life, we certainly don't want to leave Easy Street. Yet, few, if any, of us can avoid Heartbreak Highway. The best thing to do while on that route is to relax, as much as possible, and enjoy that part of the journey as best we can, confident that our Heavenly Father knows where we are and stays close by all the time, loving us, encouraging us, guiding us along that difficult stretch of road. Although Heartbreak Highway has no mileage signs, our Father knows how long the route is. He also knows where the road leads and all the places we'll pass through. We will get to the right destination eventually if we don't take a wrong exit.

If we say, “I hate this road! I don’t want to travel on it anymore!” we must keep on traveling, while keeping an eye out for “pleasant spots” along the way. And every road, even a tough one, has some of them. Right?

For example, when we’re struggling with things that frighten us or threaten to overwhelm us, we may receive encouragement from family and friends who stand with us in the difficulty. We may also learn valuable lessons, such as learning to recognize the people and things in life that are truly important and to cherish them all the more. 

So...when the road is difficult, as it surely will be from time to time, let’s journey on, grateful for whatever blessings are along the way and for the assurance we feel when our Father says to us, "Don't be afraid. I am with you.* I know exactly where you are now and where I’m leading you. Just trust Me.”

*Isaiah 43:5

©2025 by Johnnie Ann Gaskill,