Walking The Path

     Growing up in these rugged mountains of West Virginia I have had the joy of walking many trails and paths over the years. There have been ones that went across sun-drenched meadows and there have been ones that went through shady woods. There have been ones next to roaring rivers and there have been ones next to peaceful lakes. There have been ones going uphill and there have been ones going downhill. There have been smooth, grassy ones and there have been ones full of rocks and holes. Still, each one has had its own special delight. I have loved walking along them all too even though I have stumbled and fallen a few times.

     When it comes to the path of my life, however, I have stumbled and fallen more than just a few times. Actually, I have hit the ground more times than I can count. It hasn’t always been a grassy trail over a sun-drenched meadow for me. It has been a path full of twists, turns, rocks, holes, and obstacles as well. I haven’t always kept my eyes on the road or my hand in God’s either. Still, no matter how many times I have ended up face down in the dirt God has always been there to forgive me and help me back up. I have learned too that it doesn’t matter how many times you stumble and fall. It only matters how many times you get back up. Even if you stumble and fall one million times then you need to rise up and try again one million and one.  God is always there waiting to forgive you and help you to walk your life’s path one more time.

     I can see too now why God sent me along this path my life has taken. It lead me to where I am now. Without the growth it gave, learning it provided, and even falls it dealt me I would not be who I am today. I plan on continuing down my life’s path then doing all the good I can and helping others along the way. I plan on walking it with a smile on my face, a song on my lips, love in my heart, joy in my soul, and my hand firmly in God’s. I know it is leading me home.

~ Joseph J. Mazzella ~

[ by: Joseph J. Mazzella (joecool@wirefire.com) -- {used with permission} ]