Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island is one my favorite place to be.  Driftwood washes onto the shore of this narrow beach.  No crowds here, only peaceful solitude. One glorious summer day when our whole family gathered on the island for a week’s reunion, I saw an opportunity to bask in this tranquility.  While everyone else headed off on a bike ride, I set out for the driftwood.

I knew the beach followed the coast from our condo north to the tip of the island.  Then there were island roads that could bring me back.  Did I need a map – no, a companion – no, and cell phones weren’t a thing back then.  I knew my way.   My way was so pleasant, I wandered alone along the shore, on and on.  It was quite some time before it occurred to me that I should have reached the northernmost point by then.  But, after all I knew my way, so I kept on.  Ah, I found a road.  This must be it.  Only the afternoon sun began to hint that I was headed due west, not south.  I kept going.  The sun was hot and the walk was getting longer with every step.   Eventually I came upon a road that did lead me back.  I’ll credit my guardian angel for heading me in that direction.  It was late afternoon when I finally got back to the condo, where the rest of the family had long since returned.

My way had seemed so simple.   It always does.  In so much of life I find myself wandering on my way, only to be led astray.  I need David’s words in Psalm 25, “Lord make me know your ways.  Lord, teach me your paths.  Make me walk in your truth, and teach me: for you are my Savior.”  God’s way is always more reliable than my way.

In the lyrics to the familiar hymn, “He Leadeth Me”, Joseph Gilmore writes:  “Whate’er I do, where’er I be, Still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me.”

Remember that the Lord who loves you unconditionally wants to be your guide.  Perhaps you, like me, must remember to ask Him, to trust Him – His way is always better than my way.

Judy