A Shortcut Going Backwards

The other morning on the way to work, I decided to take a different route. A short cut so to speak. Instead of heading due north out of town, I drove out Riverside Ave. At 4 in the morning the full moon was shining bright. I was in awe of the beauty of Lake Adrian as I drove past. I suddenly found myself sitting on the bank of the lake with my childhood friend John fishing. I remember being there a lot when we were kids.

Soon, I was driving past Adrian High School. I was filled with regrets as I past. I thought for a moment, “If only I could go back.” I was a screw up in school. Sometimes I wish I could go back and redo some of the mistakes I made in life. High school is near the top of the list.

Right across the street from my old high school is the hospital. I remembered the night my son Kyle was born. December 15, 1987. Nearly 21 years have past since I drove Susan to the hospital in the middle of a snow storm. I was 23 years old; just a kid myself. I had just lost my dad about a year before, and I remembered wishing I had him with me that night.

Sometimes when we get caught up in the day-to-day junk of life, I like to take a look backwards. It helps me stay focused on moving forward. I know in my heart that God has a plan for my life. I know that all of the experiences I have had through my life has shaped me to be the person God wants me to be. A turn down a different road at 4 a.m. reminded me who that person is.