About half way into my walk across the trails of McDonald’s Hamburger U the other morning, I realized the parallels between that adventure and my life. I found myself a bit lost, but next to a lake which, with the rising sun, caught the reflection of the surrounding trees in a breath-taking way. As I slowly looked around the rocks forming the edge of the water, I spied a majestic bird of some sort – perhaps a heron – just basking in the early morning rays. My only regret was that I didn’t have a camera to capture what I saw.

How I got to this lake I had no idea. I was trying to follow a map the hotel had given me but at some point I must have taken a wrong turn. The paths were not well marked and as I result I got “lost” and found myself in an incredible place. I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be. It was a lot like my life.

I’ve taken many unmarked paths in my time, some covered with nasty brush and briars, some clear. I’ve certainly gotten lost a time or two. But somehow, I eventually – always – ended up in an incredible place. Had I obsessed over trying to figure out exactly where I was and how I got there, rather than having faith that I would not only meet my objective (fresh air and exercise for my walk) but that I would also somehow find my way back, I would have missed it. I would have missed a marvelous view and a peaceful, thoughtful moment.