The Sidewalk Ends

My favorite morning walk is on a path outside my subdivision. The “path” is a sidewalk up the rise from a wash (think dry creek bed). In the spring blossoming flowers and trees arise from the most unlikely plants. It’s beautiful and is a good place to hear God’s voice.

After several months of weather over 100 degrees, the flowers are pretty much gone. Only a few summer hardy plants still have blooms. Jackrabbits abound in the barren looking dry ground, hiding behind the evergreen shrubs. Barren looking, but still a great place to hear God’s voice.

The sidewalk doesn’t circle around the whole subdivision. It just stops. Three lone sidewalk slabs beckon from the far side of an unlocked pedestrian. My normal routine has been to turn around at the gate. A few days ago, I thought, “wait a minute, I want to touch the very edge of the sidewalk.”

So, I stepped through the gate and stopped at the edge of the sidewalk looking at what was beyond. I heard a whisper in my mind. “Why stop here where it’s comfortable? Why not venture past the edge and see where I will lead you? Open your mind to the possibilities of what just looks like dry ground.”

I began to envision what this end-of-sidewalk area could look like if a landscaper went to work. I imagined scenic paver walkways lined in colorful flowers, with majestic (Arizona majestic, that is) trees behind them. Fountains, statues, and other yard art strategically placed would accent the color. Inviting benches would beckon people to stay awhile to contemplate life in serenity.

It made me think about where else in my life there is an end-of-the-sidewalk that may hold great potential for beauty, or life, or fun, or adventure. I bet if I hold still long enough to ponder, there are several.

So far the new adventures God has brought into my life in this season have been amazing. I’m looking forward to standing with you and dreaming about what the Greatest Landscaper of all time may have for us.