Last night I found myself with the ability to actually sit and listen to a sermon at church...and I mean really listen. My husband and kids were sitting far away and for some reason the topic really intrigued me.
Pastor started out asking if anyone has ever truly been lost.He said with technology these days it is easier for people to find their way from A to B. He has a point. Who doesn't have some type of GPS or map application on their phone these days? If you don't - you may have some kind of GPS device in your car to assist with getting you from home to your destination.
He talked about taking family vacations as a kid and actually plotting a route on the map - an actual paper map! Or getting a "trip tik" from AAA that had all the fun fliers as well as a highlighted map to show you the best route. And yes- I can remember the "trip tik" from AAA quite well...how many of YOU remember it or an actual paper map?
He went on to talk about how sometimes getting lost isn't a bad thing. Most times you are not in any immediate danger. I started to think about the few times I had ever been lost and remembered the fun things I experienced along the way; a fun shop to spend time in, a great restaurant I never would have found otherwise and good conversation with locals found in both.
I realize that no one really "gets lost" anymore...and we are missing out on so much by taking the most direct path. We take the direct route a lot in our daily lives. So let's think of it another way.
When was the last time you "got lost' in conversation with a friend or family member and didn't look at the clock?
How long has it been since you "got lost" in a good book (either paper or electronic version)?
And when have you ever said "let's go this way and see where it leads?"
Every year since I was a child I've tried to give up something for Lent; chocolate, coffee, pop (because all caffeine would be very dangerous these days), junk food, tv. This year I'm doing something different. I'm challenging myself to get lost at least once each week. Some weeks it may be more...but my minimum is once. I can get lost talking with my kids, playing Legos, writing here since I do not do it enough, physically lost while out and about somewhere...the possibilities are endless. Two places I plan NOT to get lost - Facebook and the internet.
If you want to get lost with me- come along for the ride. We can take a road trip somewhere, we can get lost in conversation over coffee or a glass of wine...or even online. I hope to teach my kids that getting lost isn't a bad thing. If you think about it, we are never truly lost, right? A quick prayer and stop for directions and we are back on track.
Asking for directions isn't a sign of weakness; it is a way to maneuver thru life. After all, when haven't we asked for directions? We talk to our families and friends all the time about what we should do or where we should go with this issue or this problem. Same concept.
Are you ready to get lost?
