Remembering Abbotswick - January 2006
When Choosing a Path in the Journey of Life
I was walking one day on my journey through life and encountered many paths to tread,
I looked at each one with the same question in mind: "What destiny lies ahead?"
Some paths were trodden more than others and some hadn't been touched at all,
Feeling lost I turned to God, praying that He would hear my call.
"Father", I cried, "which path should I take? For each leads to an end unknown?"
The Lord replied: "It is your choice my child, but I will guide you, for you shall not walk alone".
So I chose a path that had been taken before, with footprints still left in the dust,
Not knowing where it would lead or how it would end, but I gave God my hope, my faith and my trust.
The road was long with many twists and turns and at times it was difficult to see
Exactly where the path was leading to or where the Lord was guiding me.
But then, by the roadside an angel appeared, who greeted me with love,
"Please accept my peace and blessings and this gift from the Heavens above".
The angel produced a large piece of wood that looked heavy and awkward to bear,
"Why are you giving this to me?" I asked,
"You will understand when you arrive there".
And so the angel left, and I now carried the heavy wood upon my back,
But the journey was slow and weary and it was hard to stay on track.
Days had passed since I took up this road and still the journey endured,
"How long will this road go on for? When will my burden be cured?"
I carried on as best I could, but doubt began to enter my heart,
Too many times I had fallen down, I'd lost the hope that I held at the start.
"I can't go on Lord, I'm just too weak, my destiny is gone,
The pain and suffering is just too much, this path for me was wrong!"
And how I wept for many hours with teardrops on my face,
But God saw me weeping and dried my tears and became my saving grace.
Jesus was now beside me and asked: "What do you see on the floor?"
"Footprints" I said, to which Jesus replied: "They are mine from the journey before".
"I was the first to walk this path, of sorrow, sadness and pain,
To show my love and sacrifice, so that you could rise again.
So now I tell you: rise from your despair and because you believe in Me,
I will help you to carry your burden and take you to your destiny".
And so now with new hope and strength I took to the road once more,
And as I neared the end of my journey, I now realised what the wood was for.
The path now descended into darkness, an empty, hollow ditch,
I used the large piece of wood, my burden, as a solid bridge.
And as I passed to the other side, I finally saw my faith's reward,
Now knowing that it was worth waiting for, my eternal promise from the Lord.
I finally found my destiny,
The path I chose was true,
I thank you God for blessing me,
I will forever trust in You...
Sean Townsend
January 2006