Off-Course

     One day, a young boy visited an apple farm with some friends. It was a sunny, fall day, full of promise. The boy, 9, was excited to be with his friends, and one in particular, a 10 year old boy. The two boys roamed freely, taking in the sights of apple and pear trees, full of fruit, the tractor taking kids on hay rides, and a sea of pumpkins for sale. But soon, they were looking for something a bit more exciting and they ventured into a trail on the edge of the farm. The marked trail went into the woods a bit, woods that seemed to stretch forever, full of evergreens and  trees full of color. The forest was so enticing, so welcoming, that the two boys decided to follow the markers to the end and then turn back, but they unintentionally left the trail. They went a little bit into the woods, and tried to keep the trail in sight, but as boys are wont to do, they went a little farther and a little farther; they were explorers, after all! But the trail kept getting further behind them, and the forest was so beautiful and exciting, that they soon lost track of the trail.  The trail was gone, they could not remember where it was or in which direction it lay. They were lost. Not just lost as in a store, where you eventually find your mother, or lost in a big, unfamiliar house where you are bound to find your way back to the front door; but really lost. And the reality of it hit them, and they knew they were on their own, that no one knew where they were, and that this was too big for them. They walked on for what seemed all day, but it was probably not more than 2 hours. But during that time, in between the moments of exhilaration and adventure, they soberly considered their predicament. They were old enough to know that being out in the woods, lost, could end badly. And while they were not fearing for their lives, they were afraid. But they had each other, and that was no small comfort.  Finally, they could see a road through the trees! Once on the road, they had to decide which way to go, so they prayed for wisdom. They decided to turn right and headed down the road. About 15 minutes went by before they came to a house. At this house however, there was a large, menacing dog on the property, so they kept walking, hopeful but getting discouraged, not to mention hungry and tired. The next house was another 15 minute walk, but better fortune awaited them there, where a kindly, elderly woman answered the door. They told her of their predicament, and she took them in her house, gave them food and drink, and called the farmer. The boys rested and talked with the woman; she was happy to have the company and they were mighty glad to be taken care of!  Soon, the farmer came to pick up the boys, and he delivered them safe and unharmed, if a bit tired, to the worried mothers and friends. The boy told his parents of his adventure; his poor mother went from running horrible scenarios through her head of what could have happened to thankfulness for his safety. But the boy was scared deep down, and it was a while before he strayed too far from safety.
     The story could have ended there, and it would have been a good place to end, but there is more. The memories of the trek in the woods stayed with the boy: being hopelessly lost, trying to rely on his wits, nobody that was experienced to help him.  Eventually, he came to a point in his life when he was confronted with the facts of life: that we are sinners, hopeless and helpless, lost. And he thought back on the forest and knew what being lost meant, and how there was no one there in the woods to guide him, and how he needed the help of a kindly lady and a farmer and the company of a friend to get him out of trouble. He knew he was a sinner, helpless in his sin, and needing Someone to help. The conclusion, the solution, was clear. He needed Someone to help him through this life, help him find his way, so that he need not fear if the trail was difficult or unclear, so that he need not ever feel alone on this path of life. And he realized that his friend, the kind lady, and the farmer and much more could be found in one Person, Christ. So the boy, unafraid, took a turn down a new path. And he has grown in wisdom and maturity and discernment. Sure, he has stumbled and fallen, as all of us do, but he knows he is never alone on this trail, nor fearful while he walks alongside his Guide. His mom has been privileged to watch this story play out, encouraged by what she sees, and anticipating many more stories and adventures with this boy of hers.