Finding Our Way

Available for over a year

Good Morning Our Jewish ancestors spent many years journeying through the wilderness, 40 years in fact. I quite like hiking the wilderness too. I also love perusing countryside magazines from years ago. A copy from May 1972 caught my eye recently. It contained an excerpt from Wainwright’s ‘Pennine Way Companion’; the part close to where I live now. One phrase stood out ‘The complications of this walk are increased by its invisible footpaths in the fields and meadows and there will be many doubts and much going astray unless this map is properly consulted.’ I recall trudging that walk, book and map in hand, with girl-guiding friends years ago. We got hopelessly lost! We always however respected farm stock and closed gates carefully behind us. On our trek, we asked at farms for the right way and permission to camp. We were careful to leave no trace and respect the countryside. Now I’ve trodden many separate ways since then, physically and in life itself. Whatever paths we follow, we inevitably leave a mark. We make decisions about uncertain ways before us. If we choose well, others will follow and hopefully take our lead. Walking our beautiful countryside is a metaphor for negotiating life itself. To choose our way well, we need to seek guidance, whether from a book, a map or our Creator in prayer. Let’s walk through this world with respect, improving it if we can but always making sure we do no harm to others. Lord, we ask you to guide our daily steps through life. Let our footprints inspire others to follow. Where we face choices, help us to choose wisely, taking thought for others. Amen