Going Back

I made my way up the snowy road to the house trying to hide my apprehension from my daughters in the car. Summoning my inner little-engine-that-could, I tried to will our way to the top of the hill, but the wheels began to spin and the car skid during our final ascent. I knew we were in trouble, so I stopped the car before it slid into the ditch and told the girls to get out and walk the final stretch while I tried to figure something out. I reversed the car and knew I could backtrack and take a longer, more gradual route to the house, but I then thought I should try to make it one last time, only to slide the car into the ditch. 

I was more frustrated than frightened, but as I looked at the car leaning into the hill I realized it was an experience well worth my contemplation, particularly when beginning a new year. I wanted to make it, I wanted to go forward and reach my destination, but the road was too steep. I was given the chance to back up and go another way, but I second-guessed that choice and tried to force my way forward, only to slide in a ditch. A new year is so often about setting goals and moving forward, but in our determination, we sometimes forget there are other ways to get there and that we might need to reverse rather than plow forward. Whether in a relationship, a business venture, or even our faith, we might need to go back before we can go forward. The most direct route may be too steep. 

I’ll find a way to get the car out, just as I’ll find a way out of whatever ditches await me in my personal and spiritual life, but I could also seize the opportunity to go back and take the longer, more gradual route before I’m in the ditch, That way, I can spend my time on more productive things.