Our Companion to the Road of Life

     At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited Heaven or Hell when I die. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn't know Him,(I know of Him). Later on, though, when I met Christ, it seemed as though life was like a bicycle ride. It was a "tandem" bike and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal. I don't know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since we did.

    When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring, but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points, but when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains and through rocky places going at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hang on!

    Even though it looked like madness, He kept saying, "Just Pedal!" I worried and was anxious and asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer. It was then that I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure and when I'd say, "I'm scared," He'd lean back and touch my hand. With Him I've met people and gained knowledge of love, peace, acceptance, and joy - gifts to take to my journey - my Lord's and mine. And then, we were off again.

    He said, "Give your gifts away. They're extra baggage, too much weight." And so I did. To the people we met along the way, I tried to give love, peace, acceptance and joy, and I found that in giving I also received, and still our burden is light.

   I did not trust Him at first, being in control of my life. I thought He would wreck it; but He knows bike secrets. He knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners. He knows how to jump to clear high rocks; He knows how to fly to shorten scary passages, and I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest of places. I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful and constant companion, Jesus Christ.

   And just when I'm sure I can't go any further, He smiles at me and says ---"Just pedal!"

-anonymous

my drawer

(I was "again" cleaning up my desk and I thought all was clear until I lifted up the little side desk's mini compartment and found this paper folded in two. Just as I was thinking of life's journey and the threshold... I wish I can give credit to the one who shared this beautiful depiction of life's journey with me but I can't recall who was it).

Life, a beginning; an open door to be explored

"I'm fine where I am now. It's nice and warm here. My mom is so close to me, she feeds me when she knows I'm hungry; she sings music to me. I am safe and secure where I am. No, I'm not leaving this place. I will not go out. I am happy and quiet here." " I don't know what's out there, I am not sure what's going to happen when I leave this place. It's cold, unsafe out there. Why can't I just stay here? ... I'm scared, what if? 

This is the dilemma of an unborn child in the mother's womb?

At the very start of life, the threshold is already part of  being human, of being alive. Choices to make, some we can avoid, some we need to trust and some we hold on to faith that what we choose is the right and best for us.

Threshold... a new beginning, a door to close behind us and a new door to open before us. Opportunities, freedom, uncertainties and challenges await us as we open a new threshold. Detachment, letting go; courage, humility, trust confidence, virtues needed as we embark on the thresholds that await us.

"When we are in a threshold, what we decide to do determines what comes next."

 -Jean Shenoda Bolen

"Too often we forget that only by enduring overtime in the space between those doors, can we eventually move freely across a threshold into the future." - Jane R. Pretat

 

Then  on the 9th month,the child was born. Insecure of the exposure felt, this poor little one made known his fear. A loud cry was heard from that little baby. Nobody could stop him until his mother took him in her arms, pressed him on her chest... Ah, his ears heard once again that familiar sound, a sound of a heartbeat coming from someone whom he knew; someone who has been his companion. And for the first time he felt reassurance from that heartbeat he heard. Opening his eyes slowly, he saw the face of that "heartbeat"...his mother. With a smile she put her face next to his face, hmmm he felt something he could not explain, all he knew was that he is not afraid anymore. The warmth of her embrace cast away all his fears. For the first time he felt a human touch and a warm, tender kiss on his cheek. He felt LOVED. Such a very awesome feeling! With that assurance the young child fall asleep, worried no longer, for he knew then that everything will be all right...

 " I am going to sleep now, tomorrow, I know surprise awaits me. I can't wait. I can't wait. I can't wait"