The Good Way

All of life is standing at the crossroads. We face questions, decisions and choices, both large and small. We stand at the crossroads, and look for the road that will bring us happiness or meaning. At the very least, we look for a path that is “less bad” than the other options.

My friend Jason in Phoenix is standing at such a crossroads. His mother in law has early signs of dementia, possibly Alzheimer’s. Until a spot opens at the local retirement community, she will be staying at their house. He knows this is the right thing to do and supports it fully. This is not his crossroads.

A week into this new arrangement, it is clear that it is not going to be easy. Jason has other crossroads questions:
• What’s a good way to balance both supporting his wife and his own needs and stresses?
• How much can he expect from his children as their lives are disrupted, too?
• When does Jason serve others, and when does he take care of himself?

The prophet Jeremiah said this: “Stand by the crossroads and look; and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way lies and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.” (Jeremiah 6:16)

These are helpful words from an ancient text. There are things we can do when we come to crossroads, things that can help us find a way that is good. And with this good way comes rest for our souls.

For people who are busy, conflicted, distracted, and stressed out, a restful and soulful way sounds like a pretty good way.

In the next few weeks I will be exploring what it means to stand at the crossroads and find the good way with my colleague Tiffany Montavon. Early in the week I will offer a thought on standing at the crossroads; Tiffany will respond later in the week. And we’d love you to join the conversation too.

What are your "crossroads questions" these days?

Meet you at the crossroads.

“Whether the crossroads and the choice come early or late in the journey, they always bring a revealing of who and what we really are.” Herbert O’Driscoll, Crossroads

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by Doug Wysockey-Johnson

Crossroads image by Martin Liebermann