559 Words on Stopping to Smell the Roses of Life

“Make sure you stop and smell the roses,” is a phrase that’s been tossed around my entire life.  Its something you SHOULD do… or so we’re told.

Well, this summer I leanred how incredible it can be to do just that.  To take time to appreciate God’s wonder and creation, to travel and see what is out there in the world, to pull over and see that thing that peaks your interest…. and it has truly been a blessing.

I took a few trips with my boyfriend this summer that completely showed me how “stopping to smell the roses” can really make an effect on you.  I’m always busy. ALWAYS busy with work, school, homework, etc. etc. etc.  So, when we both had a totally free day we decided, ‘it sure would be cool to see the coast of Washington for once’…

So we went. Right then and there.  We drove to the ferry, hopped over to Kingston, and pulled over whenever we wanted to pull over.  We left at 8 o’clock in the morning and didn’t get home until 10 in the evening.  But what an incredible day it was.

We walked on the Dungeness Spit, we saw my grandparents, we ate at a crab place at sunset, we swam in Lake Crescent, we saw the wonder of the coast (that looks more like the moon on a foggy day) and just spent the entire day smelling the roses.   We literally set out to the coast with no plans, nothing set in stone, just the urge to see something new and different, and follow where the road takes us.  So when we saw road signs for something interesting (like the most Northwestern peak of continental America), we went there.  We only had cell phone service for about 20% of our trip, so it was a time to be together, to explore, to see the wonders of Washington.  How amazingly relaxing that day was.

It makes me think about how important it is to follow the road in front of us – the road designed for us.  Not only how important it is, but how rewarding it can be.

Sometimes its so difficult for us to trust God, to follow the path He sets out for us, because we don’t know where that road may go.  But when we DO follow His path… the things we see, the moments we experience, the things we learn to appreciate more… well… those things are life-changing.

So take this as a challenge to you.  Next time you’re free, drive somewhere. Somewhere off of the normal beaten path.  Drive where you want to drive.  All YOU need to do is make sure you have enough gas, and make sure to stop and smell the roses.  Pull over when you want to pull over.  Swim in the lake you think is pretty, eat at a restaurant on the side of the road that looks wonderful…

You might be amazed at what you can find, and what you can learn about yourself, and your friendship with God.  Trust the road, it’ll take you where it’s supposed to.