The Bend in the Road
“When I left Queen’s [high school] my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road. I thought I could see along it for many a milestone. Now there is a bend in it. I don’t know what lies around the bend, but I’m going to believe that the best does. It has a fascination of its own, that bend, Marilla. I wonder how the road beyond it goes - what there is of green glory and soft, checkered light and shadows - what new landscapes - what new beauties - what curves and hills and valleys further on.” (Anne in Anne of Green Gables, ch. 38)
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Imagining the year ahead at the beginning of a new one is always a bit like looking at that bend in the road. No one but the Lord knows exactly what the future will bring. But this year, for me, a major life change is about to take place. I’m graduating from college (finally!) and I have no certainty about what is going to happen afterwards. In years past, I could see the future laid out before me like a neat map. Another year of school, another summer vacation. Another round of work and play.
But this time, the road is bending, and the future is shrouded in fog. It is frightening to think that after May passes, I have no idea where I will be. And it is especially scary to ponder the coming of next fall - the season when I have started a new school year for the past sixteen years. School will be no more. Will my life be strangely empty without it? Will I be content where I am? Will I be happy? Will I feel alone and anxious about what life has for me?
Instead of dreading the bend in the road with those thoughts, I prefer to see it as Anne did - as holding “a fascination of its own.” Of course, life changes are intimidating. And yet they are invigorating and adventurous. There is not much of a dull round of sameness to dread for me in 2008. I will be saying goodbye to the old, and welcoming the new, whatever that may be. There is so much possibility in that. “I dwell in possibility,” wrote Emily Dickinson. It is indeed a delightful reality to dwell in.
So here’s to the delightful possibilities around the bend in the road of 2008. I’m so excited to find out what this year will bring, and I’m so curious about what I’ll be doing on January 1, 2009. The Lord only knows, and I’m happy to leave that knowledge to Him for now. I’ll just keep following the road.
18 Comments to The Bend in the Road
This brings to mind this passage - “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
crookedshoreJanuary 2, 2008
except those plans meant exile and death for most who heard them…but I’m sure that’s not what pete meant!
but since he and i have been around a few more of those bends than you have anna, one thing i’ve learnt is that the good god is already round there, maybe out of sight, but drawing the map.
but only to the next bend after this one.
Thanksgiving ‘05 I remember thinking, where will I be in two years?
Two bends, er, years, in the road later I spent Thanksgiving with my first child and husband. What a surprise.
If someone would have told me that during ‘05, I would have laughed and told them they were nuts.
But God is pretty amazing, and full of surprises!
you are a very insightful woman! i’m sure you have a bright future ahead!
Thank you for stopping by my place a couple of days ago. I am so gald I have met you! You are a very perceptive young lady. I enjoyed this post!
I have been around many bends in the road since I was your age, but I remember being where you are. Oh! If I could have seen what an adventure God had planned for me–I would have been scared out of my mind! lol It is good that we do not know, because from our narrow experience we might resist some of the richest times in our lives.
I hope you ejoy every minute of this new–and significant–year in your life. I will be coming back to visit–I have to see what happens now!
AnnaJanuary 2, 2008
“I have to see what happens now!” That is so funny, Myrna. 
I’m excited to see, too! Thanks for your great comments, everyone.
Hey there! Thanks for stopping by my blog. Are you with Sovereign Grace? I just noticed that we have the same blog-roll
First of all, wonderful quote from one of my favorite fiction books! How perfectly it fits also. Last fall I was in the same place you are now…a year later I am finding I’m at that place again. The bends in the road are not ending as I thought they may, but are instead getting even greater it seems. You are so right…how wonderful to have a Lord who knows. How wonderful to have a great God that we can just keep following in faith even though we do not know what is ahead!
I am. I’ve been going to the SovGrace church in Pasadena for 17 years now. What church do you go to?
Isn’t Anne so insightful sometimes?
I scribbled a quote from Anne in my journal, the day before the 1st….
“Tomorrow [this new year] is fresh, with no mistakes in it.”
Yet.
I find that somehow extremely encouraging.
I remember when I graduated and the possibilites seemed endless! I was ready to fulfill my dreams and conquer the world. Little did I know that God had other plans for me, being married with a daughter. You never know what will happen!
AnnaJanuary 3, 2008
That’s a great quote too, Holly. And Jacki… I would love that. You’re right… God’s plans can definitely surprise us!
Elizabeth UlmerJanuary 3, 2008
What a beautiful post– I love the picture, and the way your expressed yourself. For me, I have lots of ‘ifs’ as I look forward into this next year, and it can be tempting to be be anxious– but God knows!! He holds me in His hand and will guide me every step of my life, if I yield to him!!
Thank-you for commenting on our familys’ blog– I hope you stop by again sometime!
God Bless You!
~Elizabeth
I have always been fascinated with paths, and now I have an added way to think of them: with bends that hold surprises behind them. Thank you, Anna! Your thoughts are beautiful. You are a lovely writer! A friend once said: “Take heart, for you never know what’s just around the corner.” I love that phrase and that fits right in, too! God bless your future.
AnnaJanuary 4, 2008
I like that quote, Esther. And I really appreciate your words of encouragement.
This is encouraging. There have been so many bends in the road of my life. The “straight road” is often just an illusion — hiding the turn. We just need to trust God. Thank you for writing this! God bless you and your “bend” of 2008!
I love that quote, Anna. Her humble acceptance of caring for Marilla changed the course of her life, but she looked on it as still full of possibility, not limitations. You, too, are certainly living up to the name of your blog, Hope Road.
I just read Psalm 32:8, and it seems reassuring to anyone, especially someone with big changes in the year ahead:
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.”
May you listen to the Lord and respond in obedience as He instructs and teaches you in the way you should go. May you listen to His counsel as He watches over you.
This is SUCH a beautiful post! I am in that situation right now - where there is a very large bend in the road; I can see what lies ahead for a short while, but there is SO much that I have no idea will happen that will come about this year.
Having graduated from university, I can say that it was quite strange not going back to school in autumn, but also really fantastic! I have actually enjoyed not having school so much because I have been able to study things that I really want to, and have been able to focus on my jewellery business. There are many exciting opportunities ahead for you Anna - I pray that God leads you to the right job after you graduate, and that He will keep directing and leading you. I am so excited for this year and what God has! I’m glad you are too
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I'm Anna. I'm 22. I love reading and writing. I'm a recent college graduate living at home. And I hope you are blessed by what you read here.
January 2, 2008