The Road Less Traveled

The author Robert Frost wrote a poem called, “The Road Less Traveled,” talking about a traveler and the choice he had to make when faced with a turn in the road and two different paths to follow. One road was overflowing with green grass and clear blue water, while the other road was difficult to maneuver, with tangled undergrowth. Clearly, most people would choose the easier path filled with beauty, but in the end the traveler chooses the more difficult road.

I have often pondered what trials I would have chosen for my earthly test if I’d been given a list before leaving my heavenly home. I look at friends and neighbors and their personal sorrows of divorce, infidelity, pornography, and drug abuse. Satan is well and alive on the earth, tempting God’s children with his enticing wares. To watch one of my children loose themselves would have been unbearable. But I know me! To think that I would have chosen a health crisis as my personal test is unthinkable! I hate drama and being the center of attention. Surely I would have chosen an easiest trial, one without personal sacrifice.

After my shocking diagnosis of Lyme disease, I cried out to my angel mother in anguish. I wanted to know, “Why me?” Hadn’t I always been obedient, made good choices, and tried to live a good life? With tearful wisdom in her eyes, my mother proposed that perhaps I chose this particular test and agreed to fulfill it. “Why would I do that?” I said. I assured her that when they were passing out tests in heaven, I knew I would have been in the line with the easiest problems. Again she suggested to me, “What if there were two roads that you could have traveled? One was straight and easy to follow and led right to your eternal reward. However, when you arrived many of your family members wouldn’t be there, having lost their way without your help. What if there was a more difficult road? One that was bumpy and rocky with twists and turns, but when you reached your destination you would have the overwhelming joy of having your entire family with you. Which road would you take?”

Our brother and Savior, Jesus Christ, chose the road less traveled . . . the thorny path. He died for us that we could live again. He chose the difficult road. During the last few years as I have begun to know Him, I have slowly begun to comprehend what a wonderful gift our Savior has really given us. Our trials are not punishments, but they are an opportunity for us to gain the knowledge that we will need to live with him again. What a wondrous promise of eternal life we have been given!

Our salvation does not need to be earned. It is a gift that has already been given. Ultimately it doesn’t matter how many loafs of bread we bake or mundane chores we perform. The gift is there and it is up to us to know Him so we can receive it!

Our lives go on as we battle our trials. However no matter what happens in life we need not live in fear, because the Lord has a greater plan for all of us and we need to put all of our faith in him. I have a quote on my computer, authored by my mother that reads, “The deeper the darkness, the brighter the light that follows!” It is a daily reminder of my eternal goal.

I know the Savior loves me and that he loves all his children here upon the earth. He wants to take us by the hand and carry our burdens and lead us out of the darkness. No one can find Him for us, as each one of us must do it for ourselves. In the immortal words of Robert Frost, “And I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference!”