On the Other Side of the Lake

Greenwood Urban Wetlands-Credit

I used to live in this old 1926 house that I loved on a cobblestone street in a neighborhood I loved. Beyond the big beautiful oak trees that canopied the streets and the deli just blocks away, what I loved most was the park.

The park was just three doors down from our home. There were sprawling grass covered hills, walkways with tree branches creating cover from the sun, picturesque bridges and benches to stop and contemplate the wonder of it all. In the center of the 19 acres of parkland was a small lake with a path all the way around. That park, that path, was the answer to all our questions in the home from 1926.

Did the dog need exercise? Walk him around the lake. Had you spent too many hours in front of a computer screen that day? Go walk around the lake. Did you want a lingering conversation with a friend? Invite her to join you on the path around the lake.

Walking around that lake we made decisions about jobs and ministry. We faced losses and griefs on that path around the lake. We laughed with friends and celebrated long awaited victories. We even had anniversary pictures taken there. Several times my husband and I would start around that lake with heavy hearts after a long day or in the face of a big decision. When we started at the beginning of the path we usually didn’t know the answer or what would come next. But by the time we made it to the other side we usually had a semblance of the answer. And if not? We’d walk around one more time until it was clear.

I miss our old house with it’s leaky windows and memory scarred floors. I miss the picturesque tree laden streets and being able to walk for a fresh-made meal at a moments notice. But most of all I miss that park where answers could usually be found just on the other side of the lake. 

So do you have any special places you go when you need to make a decision or get away from it all? I'd love to hear all about it in the comments below.