Unexpected Paths

The secret to success isn’t avoiding mistakes, it’s making the most of the path you’re on.

Kade Lovell can tell you all about that. He entered a foot race when he was nine years old and won it in remarkable fashion. Not a race on the playground against schoolmates, mind you. No, this was a 10K against adults.

Officially, Kade was registered to run the 5K. But a few kilometers in a volunteer instructed him to turn left when he should have turned right. It wasn’t until later that Kade realized he was following the 10K course. Unsure of what to do, he kept running. He not only completed the race, he took first place overall, beating out the kids in his age group and the entire field of adult competitors.

Sometimes life puts us on a path we never sought. That certainly happened to me. My mom died when I was nine. My stepdad abandoned me and my siblings within hours of her funeral. I was a teenager when my biological father died, and I even ended up in foster care for a time. I not only survived, but those experiences played a role in shaping me into the man I am today.

Which is why I believe you can trust me when I say: You’re capable of more than you know. You’re stronger than the circumstances you face. Even when the path before you is not what you planned, with a little grit and a little faith, you can keep moving forward and make it through to the other side – in victory.

If you’re on a difficult path and could use some encouragement or wisdom, we have caring counselors who will listen, pray with you, and direct you to additional resources in your area if necessary. Call us, leave your name and number, and we’ll get back with you as soon as possible. The number during business hours is 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).