jakorte's blog

At first I thought I was happily heading for another new phase of my life. But the more I think about it, the more I am sure that I don't like that idea. I'd rather view this latest upheaval as a continuation of my life's adventure.

Why? Because looking back on it all it has taken me to get here, the highway has remained.
Exits, entrances, construction, pot holes, and even clear-sailing, radio-blaring days are all part of our highways.
No matter how many ramps we navigate to temporary scenic routes, we always end up exactly where we need to be.

Yeah, those detours make the trip longer, and sometimes harder than necessary, but the beauty found during pauses are what fuels renewal.
It's hard to determine where you are with the landscape always flying by.

With construction season come inevitable temporary delays. Sometimes sitting still is the only way we can focus on where we're really at. Sometimes those are the moments where we find ourselves more than ready to throw open windows for fresher air and clearer views. Opening up also means intentionally or unintentionally being more open to GOD's rerouting routine.

So, I've found myself stuck on one of those ideas that has been growing on me for quite a while. I don't care for being forced to make a decision, but even I eventually recognize a strong leaning towards the strong leading I've been feeling.

Not every exit is a cloverleaf, but neither are they as rare as they used to be. I've been riding my own personal cloverleaf ramp around in stiffly interconnected circles under the guise of constant movement; but in reality, not getting anywhere, at all. I'm not opposed to having the same life continuing circumstances, just ready to move a little further down the path and try coming at it from another direction.

My time with Jeff has been a most amazing scenic route, and a life changing experience.
No amount of past, present or future roads will lead me away from the now experienced heart I developed while driving through difficult interchanges.
It's made me who I am, and has been my most defining detour ever.

There's always been a soundtrack to my life: many favorite songs that are always appropriate like "Life is a Highway," and lyrics reminding me, "I thought I walked a twisted trail 'til I saw where it lead me to." Or lead me back to, in my case.

I'm ready to merge back onto the highway, push the pedal down and go where ever my life's adventure takes me next.
NOW: without reservations, without self-imposed speed limits, without worrying about spiritual toll booths, enjoying delays to the best of my ability, scanning the horizon for the next slow turn off, and looking forward to whatever it is I am supposed to see, where ever it is I am supposed to be.

In this issue: Highway Cloverleafs, Four Leaf Clover, GreenRide Stats, and Part 3 of Healthy Food You Thought Weren't.

Now posted: New Orleans, October 2009, As the Road Looms