I was driving to a friend’s house early Saturday morning and had a lot of things swirling around my head. I’ve been to her place a number of times before and was confident that I knew my way without needing to ask for directions. It caught me by surprise when I suddenly realized that I was driving down an unfamiliar road.
Sensing that I still haven’t gone that far away from the right direction, I looked for the nearest U-turn slot along the road and turned back. But because the road was wide and new to me, I didn’t have time to swerve away from the bus lanes that I ended up taking when I made the turn. From a distance, I saw silhouettes of two traffic officers holding their hands up in the air bidding me to make a full stop. I knew I was in trouble.
I stopped the car and rolled down my window to explain that I didn’t mean to take the forbidden lane and that I had lost my way and was trying to find the right path again. The officer asked where I was going. He probably noticed that I was trying to be brave and was holding back my tears from falling. He softly gave me directions and in a jovial way told me to drive carefully—without giving me any tickets.
I took the road he pointed me to but driving further along I found that it was blocked. It was the only way I knew how to get to my friend’s place. I stopped in the middle of the road and not being able to hide my frustration, I let the tears flow. I summoned another traffic officer for directions and after asking where I was going, he pointed me to the right path until I was able to find my friend’s home.
Life is full of twists and turns. We sometimes find ourselves on roads that we never meant to tread… or in very dark tunnels where it’s cold and confusing. But I’m very grateful for U-turns in life and for officers who try to help us find our way again. As long as we know where we are going, we can keep our focus and try to get back on track. The important thing is not that we got lost, but that we found our way again. There’s always a warm and welcoming light at the end of the tunnel—no matter how long and dreadful it may seem.
Thank you so much for this post, I enjoyed reading it..I have in my scripture set a bookmark, one of my favorites that I got from a bookstore about 10 years ago which reads: “If you find yourself going in the wrong direction, remember God allows U- turns”. I am so grateful for those U- turns that Heavenly Father allows us to take. Without them I am doomed. Thank you for the inspiring stories! Some of it I even share in my Sunday School lessons. Much Aloha to you sisters!
I totally agree.
That is the beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ. No matter how lost we get, we can always come back. Thanks for sharing this.
“There’s always a warm and welcoming light at the end of the tunnel—no matter how long and dreadful it may seem. ”
-I really hope so.
Love your stories/articles. Thanks for sharing them thru MIR Alumni… Keep it up!
Thanks Cherry ,You know I don’t drive , but it does’nt mean I don’t have U-Turns in life , but I am grateful for the Holy Spirit whom I feel when I have doubts in life He helps me clear it up and put me on the right path , also I feel the guidance of our Holy Prophets and the priesthood leaders , RS sisters , families , friends ,like you who always gives me reminders about life .As a member of the church I owe so much that so many things like prayer, scripture study etc. helps us grow and learn these things that when we experience we can always go back to our Savior , and feel His love and protection .Love and prayer .Mommy
Apple, it is sooo good to know that this blog has done some good for some people out there… it means a lot to us.. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH for your comment. We really appreciate it..
Robin, I appreciate your support and guidance. Thank you very much.
I KNOW so, Gelene! After the rain comes the rainbow, remember?
Hi Joel, thank you for dropping by. This is our little contribution to the “discussions out there.” It is humbling to realize that it can be a medium to touch other people’s lives.
mommy, I know that we feel the Savior’s love so much more after being lost for awhile.. I am grateful for His loving arms around me when I return from being prodigal.. thank you for your comment…
There is indeed light at the the end of a dark tunnel Gelene…I’ve been there and I found my way out because of that light; His light! Forget everything in this world except for this one truth: YOU are a child of God and He knows you and loves you!
Much aloha to you!
Ganda naman nang story na ito…inspiring…Thank you very much for sharing this to me.
I wish that all U-turns are easy. Some are heartbreaking and can cause excruciating pain. I know so. But I believe that these are experiences that expand our souls and bring us closer to our ultimate goal–to get back “home.” May we all be blessed in this journey called life!
All of us get lost at times. But as we look back on that experiences of us, we often see that we always found the way. And on that special experience we sometime don’t take notice of those special people who have been with us to help us find the right way. I’ve been lost before and i never thought that i could find the right way again. But somehow there have been special people who has helped me get on the right track again. My father who has never get tired of helping me get on my knees and be on the right track but specially my Savior Jesus Christ whom i have felt the power of upliftment and hope as i return to his fold again. And there are still others who showed me the right way again. I owe them my heartfelt gratitude for supporting me to get back on the right way.
Cherry,
Thanks for your article. I totally agree. The God we worship is a God of 2nd chances. It’s all possible because our Savior bled and died so that anyone can have their 2nd chance, or even 3rd or 4th if need be. If anyone feels they’re not loved anymore because of anything they’ve done, you have no idea how much the Lord loves you.
“There’s always a warm and welcoming light at the end of the tunnel—no matter how long and dreadful it may seem. ”
if we fall we must get up and continue to walk in the right path, in the end we will be granted a light that will enlighten our mind and hearts; that the Loving Father and Jesus Christ are always there to give light to the fullest.
continue to post inspiring messages. thanks.