Stones in the Road

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.   – Deuteronomy 31:8

The road ahead suddenly seemed treacherous. There were jagged stones that made the path uninviting. I was afraid to travel that road that day over a year ago, and I questioned whether or not going forward was even possible.

I did have a friend present that day, and for that I was most grateful. As everyone knows, hospital meals are not always palatable. On this day, though, they brought a nice chicken pie and I was hungry.  But there was no way I could feed myself. My hands were simply not functional.

My friend fed me that day.  I was discouraged, despondent, wondering if I would ever function normally again. I was very afraid of the road ahead. I could not see a smooth path ahead, only a road covered with boulders. How would I move ahead?

The only comfort that minimized the stones in the road was the promise in Deuteronomy: The Lord goes before you and will be with you. He will never leave you or forsake you, so do not be discouraged and afraid.