The Trail

While you can’t always dictate where or when a spiritual encounter might manifest itself, they often come when least expected. Today was no exception to that rule. The past several Thanksgivings my daughter has traveled a few hours south to spend the holiday with her husbands extended family. What I initially thought might be a once in a while event has turned in to a family tradition for them. Initially sad I came to terms seeing the joy they experience being together building family ties and strengthening relationships. My only consolation? I get to babysit my grand dog Finnegan for the weekend.

Not having a pet myself, this is a welcome treat for me, honestly the best way to have a dog. He is my constant companion for these few precious days, always at the ready for a belly rub or a treat, my rosary buddy at night. Even in the harshest of days, rain sleet and cold temperatures, he gets me out, moving in nature when it might not be the first thing on my list. For him, nature calls, figuratively and literally. This fine crisp morning I decided to bundle up and take him on a hike right down the street from our home. I chose, well we both did as I usually let him take the lead, that we would take a path we had never traveled before. Cautious initially due to the recent storms that left quite a few trees down I found there was nothing to fear.

Somehow this pup knew the way along the path that was often times obscured by the fallen leaves of the season. It was curious to watch, wandering here and there, yet always forging ahead on the path. I don’t know how he knew the way. Perhaps his instincts, deep in his ancestral brain? Whatever the case, each twist and turn was correct as we continued past bridges and trail markers. He was an amazing guide and I was grateful. We had the beauty of seeing a buck, which began a stare down until he ran off into the forest. We saw several more deer frolicking in the sunshine. Finn curious, but smart enough to watch from a safe distance. Which brings me to my moment of spiritual insight. Sometimes on the way in life we too travel a new path. Perhaps by choice, but often times not. It is better to travel with a trusted guide. Even if neither of you have gone this way before, a guide somehow knows the way. Perhaps from their ancestral wisdom, or intuitive instinct. It’s been said “Travel alone and you’ll go fast, travel together and you’ll go far.” I guess you have to decide what is more important. Traveling fast deprives the soul of the joy of the journey, the small treasures all around waiting to be ransomed. But going far, with others, others that somehow know the way, that’s the journey of life. Even if sometimes you are the one who knows the way, don’t rob others of the shared experience.

Deep thoughts from a morning hike, but life is a metaphor for life. Begging us to always go deeper. Being grateful for the journey and those on the journey with us whether for a season or a lifetime. Always understanding while our journeys, our paths may not all look the same, we are all travelling home. Back to our loving God, richer and wiser for the road traveled with friends.