[Tweet “What #treasures will we miss if we don’t choose the road less traveled? #journey #adventure “]
“Come on Bethany! Get your shoes and jump in the car. We’re on a mission! Moriah locked her keys in the car and we’re the rescue recovery team!”
Excited to help, Beth stuffed her feet into her shoes and was still putting on her coat as she scurried toward the car.
I threw my brain and the car into gear and began drive. We quickly got to 23rd Street. But as soon as we’d passed the first stop light my brain did a back-flip- then it flat-lined.
I realized I left our house without really knowing WHERE Moriah was living at the moment. LOL!
The long and the short of that story is this: water pipes had burst in Moriah and Jonny’s rental home after New Years. That necessitated them moving in with us- 🙂 until another person graciously offered for them to live rent-free in their home they were trying to sell. 🙁 Of course, still being newlyweds they quickly packed up and kissed us goodbye! 😉
Anyhoo- I had never driven to this new address- this intermediary home- AND I didn’t know the street name or the house number.
I reached into my pocket to grab my phone and realized I’d been in such a hurry I had left my phone at home.
accckkkk!
I kept driving, thinking I could surely figure this out.
I went past one more stop light and flipped on the left blinker.
“Mom- why you turning left? That’s not where Moriah lives.”
“Babe, I’m trying to find where Moriah lives. Mommy doesn’t really know where they live now but we’re looking for Moriah’s car.”
“Why Mommy? I know where Moriah lives. She took me there the other day? I got this! I can get you there.”
Really?? My daughter- who doesn’t drive and happens to have down syndrome and has only been to Moriah’s new house once at night-time: that daughter was telling me with assurance she could direct me there???
I drove up and down two streets and turned to go up yet another.
Beth was patiently impatient. She finally burst out, “Mom! I got this!”
sigh
“OK Beth. I give up. Tell me where to go. Show me the way.”
“Ok Mom! OK! First go back to 23rd Street. Then turn left at the light.”
WHAAAT? She knew the name of the street?
“OK” as I turned left on 23rd. “Now what?”
“OK Mom- just keep driving. I got this! I see where we’re going. Up here- right before the bridge- make your car go left. Look right and count two houses. That is Moriah’s house.”
WHAAT?
As I turned left, I quickly counted two houses and found Moriah’s house!!!
Ta-da!!!
[Tweet “The journey of #specialneeds lead you to #surprising #treasures.”]
We zoomed into the driveway laughing and high fiving! We were here to save the day. My daughter Bethany, with down syndrome- had showed me the way….with confidence, style and pizazz!
I thought about that later. Why was I so amazed? She has a great memory. She’s capable and smart.
The amazement grew as the realization grew: I am on an incredible journey. And Bethany being created- and born- changed the path I’d been traveling.
“Two roads diverged in the woods and I- I took the road less traveled by. And that has made all the difference.” Robert Frost
Bethany is one of my roads less traveled! She’s a sort of tour guide who directs my attention to treasures I could never see in my hurry up mentality.
[Tweet “This less traveled road of #downsyndrome is simple and full of #celebration.”]
It is the road paved with authentic living with very little pretense.
Like a willo’wisp, she’s dances a different dance, not caring she isn’t following the crowd. I follow her steps and retrace my way back to the childlike days of acceptance of being loved for who I am- not what I achieve.
That’s why I was amazed! I realized my little tour guide actually offers much more than joy and bunches of hugs on the journey.
Her “essence” draws me along and beckons me to learn.
So we sojourn; step by step, lesson by lesson; drinking in the beauteous wonder along the twisty road. I cringe to think of all the things I would have missed if I had stayed on the road most traveled. Oh, the treasures we find when we traverse the “lesser”chosen roads…
And that has made all the difference.
Psalm 37:2- NLT
23 [Tweet “The Lord directs the path and steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”]
Yet another beautifully worded encouragement for me today!
I feel I live in such a “hurry up mentality”…I want to slow down and enjoy the journey!
Love you, my friend!
Taking time to smell the roses! Good morning precious friend! I think God has such a great sense of timing- bringing Bethany into our lives at the moment He did! I don’t know if I could have slowed down long enough to see the lessons. Blessings and hugs to you and your whole family! love you bunches!
Cindy–It is such a blessing that you see those precious nuggets in your life and the abundant Grace that helps us through the tougher times! You are such an inspiration to us all as you share those moments. Thank you for your humor and insight.
Sweet Cindy, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts here! I love the phrase you shared- ABUNDANT GRACE that helps us through the tougher times. How could we live this life without our Great God and Comforter. There are some days I feel like life is about to swallow me whole but He has always rescued me from the pit. So- my heart wants to encourage everyone- Corrie Ten Boon said-
There is no pit that God’s love is not deeper still!” Amazing Love. Amazing Grace! hugs and blessings Cindy- praying for your family and their own journey on the road less traveled.
Wow…that was beautiful and such an amazing story. It reminds me of that song, “and I stand in awe of you, Jesus I am so in love with you. Isn’t amazing how God can use people in our lives, especially those we less expect, to show us new things. Your daughter is amazing!
Awww- your comment made my day DeMishea! Some days I just get through the craziness of life- whew- but then there’s the glorious times when God’s love and purposes SHINE brightly to lift me up so I can see His perspective! I’m learning He’s “speaking” and “teaching” me all the time- if I can just slow down and open my heart to understand what He’s doing! hugs and blessings- and thanks so much for stopping by!
Oh, so beautiful, Cindy! And one of my favorite quotes!
Thanks so much Julie! You are so precious! I’ll jump over to your blog today- finally recovering from the flu (3 weeks) so I’ve just been barely on my social media- I have a lot of catching up to do. Hugs and blessings and thanks so much for popping by and commenting. hugs
Love this! Made me cry!!
Awww- thanks Serena! Our journeys are different- and yet in many ways the same. Difficulties, challenges, pits, rocky paths- and yet our Shepherd walks with us, showing us the Way home! hugs and blessings sweet Serena!
Loving the journey… Together!!! With my random, abstract way of learning… Beth’s “paths” almost seems normal to me. 😉
So blessed, we are, to journey the less traveled road, together!
This is so delightful, Cindy! I just love reading about your surprising Bethany, and the view through her eyes. Simply priceless. I can just imagine your celebrating and high-fiving as you reached your destiny. The longer I live the more I appreciate how the Lord surprises us with His glorious treasures as we walk with Jesus. Thank you for this!
🙂 Edy! She makes everything into a celebration! I didn’t realize how much I use to focus on getting things done and then just move on to the next thing. But Bethany- she rejoices at every turn and you can’t help but rejoice with her! <3 hugs and blessings
Now that’s a great idea – I must remember to turn everything into a CELEBRATION, too. Oh, I like that. Tell Bethany “thank you!” from me.
Love this post, Cindy. How often God’s plan is better than ours! He has our best interest in mind and works it all out for our good! Romans 8:28 Thanks for sharing this great story. God bless!
Thanks Christine! God is so amazing we’ll never be able to discover all of His good facets! Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I’m off to read your post- The Blessing of Caregivers!
Hi Cindy,
With each step I take, I am so thankful for the less travelled road and the treasure it lovingly holds.
Thanks for this encouragement.
God bless.
You’re welcome Anita! We have a wonderful Guide and Companion on our journey. Thanks for taking time to stop by and comment! blessings