Life’s Bumpy Roads

On Saturday Craig and I set off for an adventure.  We took the Squaw Peak road that takes you across this windy, bumpy road and ends in Hobble Creek.  We had heard about it and even looked on-line to make sure that it went through.  Craig looked at the full map, but I didn’t until we came home.  It’s a good thing, because had I seen how long, windy and bumpy it was going to be, I probably would not have gone.  The crazy thing is that I was the one that suggested it.  Why?  Because this was Craig’s love language (quality time/nature) and my love language is acts of service and he had just helped me babysit our grandkids over night.  So I wanted to show him back how much I appreciated his sacrifice for me.  If you don’t know what your love language is, go here to find out.

We began driving on this road and it wasn’t too bad at first.  Then it started getting a little bumpy, but it was not a problem.  The view was beautiful and the leaves were starting to change already and it was almost breath taking to see all the vibrant colors.  Then we started climbing up the mountain and there were no guard rails.  I reached over and locked the door.  Then the road started getting muddy and at one point on my side, it looked like the road had deteriorated and that we would fall off the cliff.  I closed my eyes, held my breath and screamed inside.  When I opened my eyes and realized that we had made it, I decided that it was time to pray.  I know this all sounds stupid, but I was scared.  I prayed that we would be safe and make it out of there okay.  Then after my prayer, the road started getting horribly bumpier.  Our trucked barely crept over the rocks and it heaved up and down from rock to rock. 

The sign came that read, Hobble Creek – 15 miles.  "Oh I can make it that far," I thought.  After a half an hour of this same kind of jolting I asked Craig how far we had gone and he told me only 5 miles.  I wanted to die!  I silently prayed, “Oh please let this bumpiness end!”  I thought that if it would get even a little bit better that, I could make it the rest of the way.  My neck and shoulders were in pain from being so tense.  Craig told me to relax, but I couldn’t!  We continued on like this for quite a while - (the drive took 2 hours) when all of a sudden I realized that the road was no longer bumpy and we were actually cruising at a pretty good pace.

I thought to myself, “When did the road change?”  I hadn’t even noticed.  “How long had we been driving on a smoother surface?”  I hadn’t even noticed.  All I knew was that it was over, my prayers had been answered and I had moved on that fast.  Not even skipping a beat to look back and thank the Lord. How sad!  Not sad that it was over, but sad that I had not REMEMBERED how terrible it was just a little bit earlier and how it was now so much more comfortable.

As I realized what had just happened, I thought how this little bumpy road was like a parable of my life.  When I was up in Heaven I had heard all about earth, maybe even had a chance to look through heavenly binoculars and take a peek at earth.  I know I was so excited to come to earth - because I have always loved a new challenge, and challenge is what it would be!  I probably was given an overview of my life that showed the windy, bumpy roads that I would go through, but just like here, I didn’t really pay attention to it.  I was probably told that I would have cancer and would suffer from the side effects for the rest of my life and I probably eagerly agreed to come, just to get to experience earth life and gain a body.  Now looking back at what I’ve gone through, I wonder had I really understood what cancer was all about, would I have tried to opt out not to come and maybe taken an on-line course for an earthlike experience.  You know, learning the same things, but not actually having to physically experience them.  haha  But of course that wasn't possible.  Maybe it is a good thing that we don’t know what is ahead of us!

But here I am on earth and when I came to the road sign that said, "Cancer-Rough Road", I thought, "I can probably handle that."  The earlier road in my life had had some minor twist and turns and bumps, but NOTHING prepared me for this. I thought I was going to die! I remember going through my sickest times after my surgery and during my chemo-therapy.  I had so many bowel problems that I remember crying out, “Will I ever be happy again?”  I wondered when this horribly bumpy road of cancer would slow down.  I even begged Heavenly Father, “Oh please let this bumpiness end!”

Now eleven months later, I look up and ask “When did my road change?”  I hadn’t completely noticed because it has been a gradual change.  “How long have I been driving on a smoother surface?”  I hadn’t totally noticed.  All I knew was that it was over, my prayers had been answered and I had moved on that fast.  Not even skipping a beat to look back and pause and thank the Lord like I should have.

While I was sick I thought that I would NEVER forget what I had gone through and I would be grateful the moment it was over.  And yet, as the Lord has blessed me to gradually get well, I have failed to notice that the road was no longer as bumpy as it used to be.  My heart sorrowed, that I so quickly had forgotten the bumpy journey I had just been on.  No wonder the most important word in the scriptures is REMEMBER!

This parable has helped me stop and look at the beautiful changing colors in my life right NOW.  To count my blessings that my road is smooth right now and that the Lord has heard my prayers.  To learn to enjoy having a new short hairdo and be happy I have any hair at all. For me I haven’t reached my destination yet, and so I must enjoy the journey, every twist and turn of it!  I need to cherish the smooth road of health I am on now and prepare for the bumpy times that will come; (stage IV cancer doesn't go away) and always remember to express gratitude that I am alive and able to still be on this earthly journey, no matter the condition of my road!