God's boots are made for the rougher roads of life

By Mary Regina Morrell
©Catholic Online 2004

"The journey of life is not paved in blacktop; it is not brightly lit, and it has no road signs. It is a rocky path through the wilderness." - M. Scott Peck

Last week, in a moment of desperation, I went to the local mall - something I never do - to find a jeweler who would appraise two pieces of jewelry that belonged to my parents. One was a diamond watch given to my mom by my dad for an anniversary present. In spite of the strong, sentimental attachment, I was considering selling the pieces because we were going through a rough time financially.

The jewelry store I had chosen did not do appraisals but gave me some advice on where to go to have one done. On my way back to the car, I stepped on a very tiny pebble and, just as though I had been kicked from behind, my knee popped and gave out completely, buckling my leg underneath my body.

Fortunately I fell against a car that broke my descent and, best of all, didn't trigger an alarm. As I stood motionless for a few minutes trying to figure out how I was going to walk to my car on only one leg, I chastised my mother for her less-than-subtle attempt to get my attention.

"Alright, alright," I grumbled. "I won't sell your watch!"

Actually, I had no choice. There was no way I could go to the next store so I went home to ice my knee.

Upon arriving I noticed the mail had been delivered. There on the counter was a royalty check from my publisher. Ordinarily I wouldn't have even opened it because it normally averages around $12.

Today, something said, "Open it!"

There, inside, was a check for $390.

Now, that may not appear to be a windfall for most people but when you have a son in Catholic high school it's a life-preserver!

Even in pain, I laughed out loud and thanked my mom, and that little pebble.

Without fail, the rocky road of life provides ample opportunities to stop, reflect, change direction, or simply sit down and cry - all of which are necessary milestones for growth, as any well-grown person will tell you.

Just today, I received a letter from a friend, a prisoner in a local correctional facility, who may very well be considered an expert in rock climbing! He wrote, "I am reminded how when I was a kid I, too, used to go camping in upstate New York and I remember all the many rocks we had to circumvent and meander around. The key was to have good boots and to have them tied up tightly so that you wouldn't twist an ankle on the rocks. I think it bears illustration that through our life path we're going to experience some rocks, but when encountered we must always remember God has given us good boots for the journey. We just have to remember to lace our boots tightly and keep it moving."

For some of us the rocks may be relationship problems - kids, spouses, friends, employers. For others, there are boulders of financial difficulties, employment crises, physical or mental illness, weakness or pain.

One or more or all of these can keep us a prisoner on the path, unable to move a step in any direction. But if we are graced, we will realize that our boots are our relationship with God and the laces are our attempts at prayer, and these boots are definitely made for walking the path of our lives!

One more thought from my friend; his salutation to me is always, "Be encouraged!"

An apt blessing from one prisoner to another, don't you think?

______________________

Mary Regina Morrell is a free-lance writer, columnist and author of Angels in High Top Sneakers, Loyola Press.

Contact

Diocese of Metuchen
http://www.diometuchen.org NJ, US
Mary Regina Morrell - Associate Director, Office of Religious Education, 732 562.1990

Email

mmorrell@diometuchen.org

Keywords

God, road, path, rocky,boots

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