The Path Less Traveled

My family just spent a wonderful, hot, humid and busy week in Branson, MO. My whole clan was there, including Tim and Molly and the twins, which was a great treat. Keith's mom and dad made the trip, as well as his brother Mark and sister-in-law Kathy, their two kids Ethan and Emily, her brother Gary and sister-in-law Daina and three of their girls Tanna, Toni and Tiffany. It was quite a group all sharing a six bedroom, six bathroom house that slept 22 thanks to sofa sleepers and roll-away cots. It may seem odd to some to spend so much time with in-laws and actually enjoy it, but we have vacationed together for several years now and still speak to each other at the end. One year, 12 of us traveled in 1 36' RV to Atlanta. Georgia...but that is a blog of its own!

Branson is full of activities and each one of us had particular favorites we wanted to do. Keith was intent upon seeing Noah, the Musical. Tim and Molly wanted to rest and play with their babies. Jake, Dan and Caleb wanted to spend as much time as possible on jet skis. I love water sports, but wanted to walk at least one of the many trails that climbed up the hills and down by the lake. I got my wish when the boys went golfing early one morning. Tanna, Toni and Tiffany wanted to see the sites while getting some exercise and decided to hit the trail with me.

The trail was narrow, contained over 300 stone steps and went on for about three miles. We saw caves, shale rock formations with water running down the sides, lots of bugs and more spider webs than the girls cared to see. I led the group. mostly because walking through webs didn't make me scream! According to Branson's visitor sites, over seven million people visit annually, but judging by the overgrown trail, not many hike while there! We were stuck in traffic jams up and down the strip, so it is obvious that the preferred mode of transportation is motor vehicle. I can't imagine not getting out of the car and exploring the natural beauty that is accessed directly behind the Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater.

As I was walking through the Lord's handiwork, I couldn't help but think that we didn't know much about where we were going. We knew the trail eventually came to a dead end, because we read it on-line. We didn't know if we would come across any obstacles, wild animals, other hikers...we were walking with faith that no matter what we encountered, we could handle it. At the beginning there were signs, directing us and warning us that the steps we took going down, would have to be climbed up on our return trip! There were few markers along the route, until a large red sign warned us the trail would soon end. Tiffany was nervous and wanted to turn around, certain the forged trail had already come to end. The others girls convinced her to go on. A good distance later, we saw a big sign, impossible to miss or misunderstand: STOP, The trail has ended, DO NOT CONTINUE PAST THIS POINT! We rejoiced at making it to the end, and headed back confident that even the 316 stairs awaiting us wouldn't be a problem.

Life is a lot like hiking. We don't always know where we are going, when it will end or what difficulties we will find along the way, but if we stick together, encourage each other and look for the signs that the Lord gives us, we can make it and have fun a long the way. If the way is hard and we lose our footing, it is all the more reason to celebrate when he get to the end. The easiest of walks aren't usually the most memorable. I plan to take the path less traveled more often!