I wouldn’t say I was necessarily walking in the wrong direction, but with the gentle guidance of a loving Father, I found myself back on track. It was the summer of 2009, and just hours after discovering I was pregnant, I found myself on an adventure, climbing a 14er (Mount Democrat) with my dad, husband, and a foreign exchange student, Katia. Somehow, Katia and I ended up leading the way for a little while. The guys followed behind, and we thought we’d found the right path. It seemed narrow and rocky, but we kept moving forward, thinking it was the way to go.
Then, my dad’s whistle pierced the air. I looked back and saw him motioning toward a different trail. Sure enough, after we regrouped, he explained that the path Katia and I were on was actually a game trail—used by animals. That trail wouldn’t have led us to the top of the mountain like we had hoped.
It’s easy to believe we’re on the right path in life, isn’t it? Like me with my loving dad, we all need our Heavenly Father to guide us back when we’ve strayed. Maybe we’ve rushed ahead, thinking we know what’s best or that we can make it on our own. But, friend, it’s always better to walk with the Shepherd—following His way, His direction, and His timing.
Each day is a reminder to stay in step with Him. And believe me, it’s not always easy. These days, I find myself led astray by my never-ending “to-do” list. Even when I feel that hesitation in my spirit, I’ll often push forward, telling myself, “This needs to get done today” or “I just have to check this off!” But what if, instead of pushing through, we asked the Shepherd to guide us in our tasks? That doesn’t mean we can ignore deadlines or responsibilities, but it does mean that instead of wearing ourselves out, we can walk with Him. He knows the deadlines, the specifics of our situations, our stress levels, and every detail that concerns us. And more importantly, He knows His own strength, timing, and plans for our lives.
So, why strive in our own strength, only to end up frustrated and exhausted? Let’s stay close to our Shepherd—the One who sees everything, knows everything, and still cares deeply for us. He holds us, shelters us, leads us, and journeys with us every step of the way. Let’s walk in this new direction, trusting Him fully.
My Prayer:
God, You’re teaching me new and beautiful things about living in Your presence. You’re showing me how to commit my “to-do” list to You, trusting that Your timing, Your help, and Your leading are far better than any path I could try to follow on my own. Give me the confidence to walk with You, knowing that as I draw closer, let You hold me, and trust Your guidance, I will see Your goodness unfold in my life. May You be the Shepherd to everyone seeking You today. Show us Your truth as we walk this new path together. Amen.
Until next time,
P.S. Friends, I’m heading in a bit of a new direction with this blog. Since my dad passed away in October 2023, it’s been tough to write from a heart that still feels so tender. I’ve been leaning on the Shepherd to heal and walk with me, as only He can. I’ve felt nudged by Him so many times to share “imperfect” writings, which is hard for me, especially with my love for crafting words and the perfectionism I picked up during my college years. But I believe God wants me to share what He’s teaching me, even if it’s just a little imperfect passage. So, I’m choosing to obey. Expect more small, heartfelt posts, and less striving for perfection. I’ll be posting again soon. 🙂
Melanie Talevski 