Road Trip - A New Year's Short Story

A road trip beckoned. The girl felt restless. Unsettled.

For most of her young-adult life, she’d stayed close to home. Played it safe. She liked the predictability of her routine and the security of her surroundings.

But as another year came to an end, and a new year spread out before her like empty page waiting for a story, she feared if she didn’t spread her wings now, she'd never write one.

So, she packed her bags, filled her tank, and set out on the road towards her happily ever after.

On the road, she passed many people seemingly headed in the same direction. Some were immaculately dressed, professional and smart looking, with cheerful smiles. Their cars were loaded down with colorful luggage filled with worldly treasures. Other travelers on the way appeared battered and weary, walking along the sidelines. They had little or no belongings. She noticed some shared what little they had with one anther. Those weary travelers depressed the girl and she wished they were traveling in a different direction. She longed to lose herself in the excitement of the moment.

A few days into her travels, she noticed traffic stopped ahead of her. She slowed down and approached with curiosity. Everyone was out of his or her car looking confused. It seemed the road had come to a crossroad. You had to either go left or right. To the right, the road was wide and beautifully tree-lined. There appeared to be a city in the distance with bright lights and you could hear the faint sound of lively music. She could see people along that road waving, dancing, and motioning for her to come that way. There were holding welcome signs that read: 

“This beautiful road will take you to pleasures and nirvana.”

“The god of this city is who ever you want him or her to be.”

“There are no boring laws in this city."

"Everyone does whatever they want to do.”

“Live and let live.”

That all sounded wonderfully freeing to the girl.

She saw many of those “smart” travelers getting into their cars and rushing down towards the bright city.

As the crowed thinned, the girl moved in for a closer look down the path on the left. She noticed that the road was very narrow, just a dirt path that would be almost unnoticeable to those not looking or in a hurry. There were no welcome signs. No bright lights. No music. The only visible thing seemed to be an old majestic tree on a mountain in the far distance. Yet, as the girl stood there, those weary and battered travelers started running down the narrow path, leaving their meager belongings on the pavement. As soon as their feet hit the dirt path, the old appeared young, the weary re-energized, and the downtrodden joyful. Many appeared to soar on wings towards that old majestic tree.  

The girl cautiously approached an elderly traveler and asked, “Are you heading down that narrow road?”

The old woman smiled and said, “Yes. Finally! It took me a long time to get here. I started on my journey as a young girl, a lot younger than you. But I took the wrong path when I was about your age. I stood right here on that fateful day and looked down at the bright city and it seemed to promise all the happiness and love I’d been craving all my life.”

“What happened?”

“When I got there, it was just a city of empty promises. Those bright lights you see, they blind you to the cruelty inflicted on the young and naive. The music you hear deafens you to the tears of the brokenhearted hiding in the dark. Once you are there, it’s hard to find your way out.”

“How did you get out?”

“Oh, that’s a miracle. My Father came to rescue me.”

“Your Father?”

“Yes. You see that wonderful tree in the distance? He came off that tree. He left His glorious mountain and searched high and low for me, fighting off the enemy that tried to keep me imprisoned in that city. I couldn’t believe that He searched for me through the filth, until He found me near death in the gutters of the city. Until that day, I didn’t even know He cared or that He knew where I was.  I just remember calling out before I closed my eyes for the last time, 'Father, if you can hear me, help me.'”

“And He heard you?”

“Yes. I felt two strong arms lift me out of the gutter. I was so soul-weary that I could not even open my eyes. I feared that if I did, it would all be a dream and I’d still be in the gutter. But my biggest fear was that I’d see disappointment in His eyes. So I kept my eyes tightly shut as the tears flowed and I just kept whispering ‘Thank you, Father. Thank you, Father.’ Night and day, He carried me in His arms. I could feel His warmth and love heal me from the inside out. All the wounds inflicted on my soul in that city of violence and tears healed. One day, He whispered right into my soul, ‘Are you ready to open your eyes?’"

"What did you see? Was He mad or disappointed?"

"When I opened my eyes I was here at this crossroad. He said, ‘I love you. The minute you cried out for Me, I went in search for you. You are now Mine. No one can steal you from My hand.' And in my heart of hearts, I finally understood and accepted my Father's love for me.”

The old woman looked at the young traveler. The young lady appeared lost in thought. She could see the young traveler weighing her words and looking longingly at the bright city.

“Young traveler, before you make your choice, let me share my Father’s last words to me. He said, ‘I have something I want you to do. I am placing you here at this crossroad because there is another young soul who is about to wander down the wrong path towards destruction. I want you to tell her your story. Tell her that I love her just as much as I love you.”

The young traveler looked startled, and turned towards the old woman.

“Do you think He was talking about me?”

She smiled and wisdom and light radiated from her. “Yes. So, my young traveler, here you are at the crossroad. You've heard my story. Your story is waiting to be written. The Father wants you to ask Him to help write it. He's waiting for us on His glorious mountain. Are you coming with me? Have you decided what road you will you travel?”

As this story comes to it's conclusion, let me ask you:

Who are you in this story?

Are you the young traveler at the crossroad? Will you choose the bright city or the Father waiting for you on His glorious mountain? 

Or are you the seasoned traveler God has placed at the crossroad to tell others your story? And if so, will you tell it?

 The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm 34:17-18 (NLT)

Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; with deepest awe I will worship at your Temple. Lead me in the right path, O LORD or my enemies will conquer me. Tell me clearly what to do, and show me which way to turn…let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Protect them, so all who love your name may be filled with joy. For you bless the godly, O LORD, surrounding them with your shield of love. Psalm 51:7-8; 11-12 (NLT)

Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it.  Matthew 7:13-14 (AMP)

Happy New Year! I pray this year you join me on that narrow road. For the Father is waiting for us with open arms. I'm lacing up my shoes, getting rid of the things that weigh me down, and I'm racing towards that old, majestic tree where my Savior died for me.
Love, 

Yolanda