Kim Wilbanks

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

Have you ever felt like you weren’t sure of where you were going in life — unsure of your next step?  Have you ever felt like you were walking into a fog?

The photograph caught my breath.  It was a perfect description of my current situation in this empty nest life.

My husband and I took a trip to visit our daughter and son-in-law right before Christmas.  It was a long trip — all the way to Edinburgh, Scotland.

While we were there, we booked a day excursion to somewhere interesting.  We decided on the Scottish Borderlands and Hadrian’s Wall.  It was a good choice.

On a cold, December Saturday, we headed south with  our tour guide who appeared to be part Viking.  The sun crept above the horizon as we left Edinburgh at 8:45 a.m.   It was not long before we were blessed with a sunny, clear day.

That is, until we got to Hadrian’s Wall.

As we traveled closer to our destination, fog set in.  Thick, pea-soup fog.

Hadrian’s Wall, a World Heritage Site, was built by the Roman legionaries of Britain between 122 to 128 AD.  It was commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian to separate the barbarians of Scotland from the more civilized Romans.  It ran 73 miles from coast to coast.  Only around ten percent of the wall is still standing.  You can read more about it here.

Our tour took us to a well-preserved section of the wall– Steel Rigg and Sycamore Gap. It is also one of the most photographed sections. You can usually see the wall snaking its way over the rolling hills.  Unfortunately, thick fog had set in so you could only see what was directly in front of you.

Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall

Hadrian’s Wall

We spent some time walking around the wall, marveling at the piece of ancient history in front of us.  I think we would have stayed longer had it not been so cold and ground so icy.  I took some pictures, wishing we could see more of the wall.  I noticed my son-in-law jumped up onto the wall to take a picture (with the tour guide’s permission).  I didn’t see that photo until several weeks later, but it was profound.

From his angle, you see an elevated path going forward.  You can’t see where the path goes because of the fog.  It sort of fades into the mist.  Mysterious.

It is a good illustration of my empty nest life.  I know there is a path for me.  I can see it, right in front of me.  The problem is I can’t see exactly where it is going.  The destination is blurry, shrouded in fog.

Maybe that’s what God is trying to tell me; focus on the path right in front of me and don’t be so concerned with what is in the distance.  Follow straight the path set before me and listen for His direction.  The path is there, even if I can’t see it.  I sense the need to trust God to reveal each step to me, knowing that whatever He has planned for me will be good.

What about you?  Is your path foggy?  Is your way obscured?  Do you have trouble not knowing every detail about God’s plan for your life?  I have to admit, I still struggle with it a bit.  But, every day, I am learning to trust God more in this empty nest life of mine.