When I began this three-part series, I noted the fourth stanza of Robert 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 part one, I discussed how Linda and I have grown in our relationship with Christ, as we journey on the road less traveled. In part two, I described significant changes in my thinking that allowed me to experience greater freedom and joy. Now, a huge question begs to be answered: Is it all about the journey, or does the less traveled road lead to a destination? In today’s blog, that question will be answered as I cover February through May of 2019.
Life Continues.
Dealing with the challenges of caring for a person suffering from dementia, tends to make us feel we should be exempt from other difficulties in life. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Early in the year, I severely bruised my leg while getting out of a boat during my Florida vacation, fell and cut my arm while walking up the bleachers at a basketball game, and tripped while trying to jump over a puddle of water. Nursing my bruised ego, I thought, “What else can happen?” The answer came on March 10: Returning from a basketball tournament, I ran off the highway, narrowly missed a bridge, hit the protective barrier, and totaled my car. After determining that a pity party was not an option, reasons were not hard to find: A medical exam revealed that my left knee was the culprit behind the falls, and physical therapy was begun. An honest evaluation of my work and sleep habits called for common sense to prevail. After all, I am not a young man anymore. What am I saying? I did not need a miracle; I needed to take better care of myself.
This Is a Marathon, Not a Sprint.
As a general rule, effective caregivers are caring, conscientious, selfless individuals; however, the very traits that contribute to their success can lead to a reduced quality of life, health issues and even early death. For the most part, relief is not found through increased understanding of the problem as much as it is acceptance of limitation and purpose. Watching gifted athletes run provides insight. The 100-meter dash requires an explosion of energy and skill which cannot be maintained for a greater distance. Conversely, in a mile run, the emphasis is upon discipline and exertion of energy which can be maintained over the long haul. In my case, unrealistic expectations carried me to the brink of collapse. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit enabled me to understand the root cause of the problem and to surrender my overdeveloped sense of responsibility to the Grace of Christ.
Heaven is Real.
As a college student, in the 1960’s, holidays were very special. After classes, I would leave Cleveland, Tennessee, and drive all night to Lake Wales, Florida. When I turned on to Olive Avenue, excitement would grip me because at the end of the street was my father’s house. I knew love, acceptance and a sense of belonging were awaiting me. Of far greater importance, Jesus has specific instructions and promses about the road less traveled and our final destination:
“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it” (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT).
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14: 1-3 NIV).
Linda has taught me so much about the Kingdom of Heaven. Last Thursday (November 10, 2020), separated by a clear plastic screen and sitting six feet apart, she vacillated between tears and smiling, worried about her mother, and proudly showed me her baby doll. Despite the fact she often has difficulty expressing herself in complete sentences, she suddenly lifted up her eyes and hands toward Heaven, and in perfect sentences thanked Jesus for all the wonderful blessings he has bestowed upon her life.
Ron Harvard Ministries 