This Is The Way

When I hear the word route, my mind drifts back to Robert Frost and the traveler standing before two roads. His poem has stayed with me for years because life really is a series of choices, each one leading somewhere.

But over time, I’ve begun to picture my route a little differently.

Instead of a road stretching into the distance, I see a tree.

It begins as a tiny sapling. There are no branches yet—only possibilities. Then life happens. One decision leads to another. A new branch grows. From that branch come more branches, each representing another opportunity to trust, obey, wait, serve, forgive, or begin again.

Not every branch survives. Some are broken by storms. Others are lost during difficult winters. A few bear scars from lightning strikes or the weight of life’s unexpected burdens. Yet the tree continues to grow because its roots reach deep beneath the surface.

Looking back, I realize many of my own choices have led me down what Frost called “The Road Less Traveled.” They weren’t always the easiest routes, but they were often the places where God did His deepest work.

Our route isn’t determined by one monumental decision. It’s shaped by thousands of small ones made day after day. Each “yes” to God’s leading becomes another branch in the story He is growing.

Today I find myself less concerned about whether the road is popular and more concerned about whether it is the one Christ is asking me to follow.

After all, the safest route isn’t always the easiest one. It’s the one that leads us closer to Him.

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

The image is unforgettable. Yet I’m grateful that God doesn’t simply point toward a road and wish me well. He promises to walk every step of the journey with me.

Perhaps Robert Frost was right. One road can make all the difference, but I’ve learned that it isn’t the road itself that changes us.

It’s the One who walks beside us.

Lord, keep my feet on Your path and my heart rooted deeply in You.

I am joining a great group of Christian writers at 5-Minute Friday. We write for 5 minutes each Friday (sometimes longer). You can share your blog here https://fiveminutefriday.com/2026/07/02/fmf-writing-prompt-link-up-outcome/

The Wrong Voice

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Sometimes a single word says it all. Today’s word, short, does exactly that.

Eve fell short of obeying God’s one simple instruction, and every one of us has done the same.

Eve didn’t fall because she ate the fruit. She fell because she listened to the wrong voice.

God didn’t give Adam and Eve pages of rules. He gave them one clear command: “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” (Genesis 2:16-17)

The serpent questioned God’s Word, and Eve listened. One conversation. One choice. One bite. That single act of disobedience changed the world.

Most of us don’t wake up thinking, Today I’m going to gossip, or I’m going to ignore my neighbor who needs help. Sin rarely begins with a dramatic decision. More often, it begins with one small compromise—one little step away from what we already know God has said.

Satan delights in this kind of disobedience. He rarely tempts us with giant leaps. More often, he whispers us into taking one little step away from God’s Word. That’s how the enemy works. He doesn’t usually push us off the cliff. He simply whispers until his voice becomes louder than God’s.

Here’s the good news. We all fall short, but we know the One who never did. Jesus’ perfect obedience covers our imperfect lives. When we confess our sin, He forgives us, restores us, and lovingly leads us back to Himself.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Romans 3:23-24

Genuine Care Speaks Loudly

Outcomes

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The Greek word for forgiveness is aphiēmi. It means letting something go, sending it away, leaving it behind, and being done with it.

That is exactly what God has done for us. He doesn’t partially forgive. When Jesus went to the cross, it was all or nothing.

Here’s where it gets hard. He wants us to forgive others the same way.

When someone wounds us, our first instinct is often to lash out, yell, or say something that wounds them right back. Our natural response is retaliation. Jesus calls us to something far different: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

Forgiveness isn’t pretending the hurt never happened. It isn’t saying the offense was acceptable. It’s choosing to place justice in God’s hands rather than carrying it ourselves.

There’s a consequence for being unforgiving. It steals peace, interrupts sleep, fuels anxiety, and keeps old wounds fresh. When we forgive, both parties benefit.

Paul writes in Romans 12:18, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Notice that little phrase: as far as it depends on you. We cannot control another person’s actions, but we can control our response.

Years ago my mother often reminded us, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It took me a long time to understand that obedience to those simple words almost always changes the outcome.

When old hurts begin to replay in my mind, I pray. Then I fill my thoughts with Scripture until my heart catches up with my prayers. God is faithful to meet me there.

Forgiveness is rarely easy.

Freedom is worth it.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your endless mercy and complete forgiveness. You have removed my sins as far as the east is from the west. Pour Your unconditional love into my heart and help me extend it to those who have hurt me. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so that I can release any bitterness or resentment I may be holding onto. I choose to let go of my need to control or fix the situation, and I lay it all at Your feet. Help me to trust You with the outcome and walk forward in peaceful freedom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

After “Amen”

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How often have we prayed, “Father, help me love everyone I meet today”, only to walk away from our prayer spot and forget we ever asked?

Then someone says something that irritates us…

Then our carefully made plans fall apart…

Then someone repeats what another person has said about us…

Then we feel overlooked, misunderstood, or hurt…

Those little “thens” may be God’s answer to our prayer.

I’ll be honest. My first response isn’t always love.

Sometimes I fuss. Sometimes I fume. Sometimes I can think of a hundred ways to defend myself or get even. That’s usually when I call a trusted friend, spend time in prayer, and listen carefully for God’s voice.

Years ago, I would simmer for a while and then simply let it go. Well…I still simmer once in a while. But I don’t simply let it go anymore.

If the relationship matters, I’ve learned to go to the person and honestly say, “What happened really hurt me.”

Most of the time, we talk, we listen, and we understand each other better. Sometimes we can’t resolve everything, but I’ve learned that love isn’t passive. Love is willing to have difficult conversations with grace.

Jesus said, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)

Perhaps loving like Jesus isn’t found in avoiding conflict.

Perhaps it’s found in choosing kindness, truth, forgiveness, and humility in the middle of it.

So tomorrow morning, when you pray, “Father, help me love everyone today,” don’t be surprised if your first opportunity arrives before breakfast.

A Satisfied Spirit

by Marie Bungard Unlocking the keys to a healthy, happy, holy home

This Is The Way

The Wrong Voice

Genuine Care Speaks Loudly

Outcomes

After “Amen”

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