Originally published in 1916, Robert Frost’s, “The Road Not Taken,” still has people discussing what “the road less traveled” means. Generally used to depict the life of a person acting independently, freed from conventional norms; I find a far different meaning. Early in my journey with Linda, a well-meaning physician tried to help me accept my new reality by saying, “Your life will never be the same.” Even though true, I sensed God was preparing both of us for expansion, not conformity. The fourth stanza of Frost’s poem, despite the fact I am convinced it was not his purpose to do so, pointed me toward greater freedom and joy than I had ever known:
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
In my first blog, I listed three foundational truths that have allowed Linda and me not just to survive, but grow in our relationship with Christ as we journey on the road less traveled. Today, I would like to expand those truths.
My life Is Inextricably Connected to God by His Love.
During our many years of pastoring, each new year was greeted with fresh excitement and a plan for success. 2019 could not have been more different. The following excerpts from my journal reveal the full range of my thoughts and emotions:
- “I find myself grieving more than I have since first putting Linda in Legacy Village. I miss her so much and cannot bear the thought of living without her. Everywhere I look in the house, I see reminders of her. At times, I wonder if I can make it through this and find myself wishing that God would take me home. I come back to reality when I realize that if I passed, the load would be harder on the children; and Linda would not have anyone to so closely look out for her.”
- “During the night as I moved in the bed, I had a flashback that I must not wake Linda up. Accepting that she will never sleep with me again nor live in our house together is overwhelming. I have told the Holy Spirit so many times that I cannot do it alone.”
- “Today, I completed my financial analysis for 2018. When I look over the past three years and compare, in the natural it looks impossible; however, OF THIS I AM CERTAIN: GOD LOVES ME AND WILL TAKE ME THROUGH MY TRIALS WITH GREAT VICTORY. HE HAS NOT FORSAKEN ME AND WILL FULFILL HIS PROMISES TO ME. He will restore that which has been taken from me. HE IS MY SOURCE!”
God Has a Plan for My Life.
As I reflected upon the road less traveled, several things became crystal clear: While keeping Linda at home, my primary ministry had been to her. Nothing had changed. In the weeks and months ahead, God inspired and strengthened me to fulfill his plan for my life. This involved very diverse assignments:
- When Linda suffered a painful impaction, as result of caring for her in the past, I was able to alert her nurses as to what was happening and participate in a plan for relief and prevention.
- As this note to her caregivers reveals, I sought to maintain her self-esteem: “Linda has always been very aware of her appearance and fastidious in her dress. I have spent my lifetime, to the best of my ability, assisting her in those desires. Now, despite her condition, as much as possible, I want her dignity and appearance to continue to be evident.”
Slowly, I was able to understand that my years of taking care of Linda were laying a foundation for a new direction in my ministry. The words of a former professor came forcefully to my mind: “If you want to find out where God is, search for hurting people. You will find him in the midst of them.”
Suffering Is to Be Embraced and Not Seen as An Enemy to Spirituality.
Surrounded by problems and suffering, Paul wrote:
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill or hearts with his love” (Romans 5:3-5 NLT).
Several days into the new year, hurting and wanting answers, God impressed on my heart: “You do not have to figure this out!” “I will deliver you!” “You will have a future!”
Ron Harvard Ministries 