Life is like a Country Road

Growing up within the confines of a city has taught me several things. I have been on several types of roads within these confines. There was one road that I had not driven on. The type of road I am talking about is the typical dirt road found in rural America.

For a lot of rural America, a single dirt road is all that is available. It isn't uncommon to have a farm on one side and an empty field on the other. There may be a single farmhouse or a barn standing by itself. Traveling to and from these places is connected by a single dirt road. The people in this area know several things. They know who is from the local area. They know strangers. The traffic in this area is at a minimum. You have a reason to be there, or you do not. It is a rare thing indeed to be "passing through." While the roads remain public access, it isn't illegal to drive these roads. 

Life, like a dirt road, has issues that come up to challenge our way of thinking. A ditch along these roads is there for drainage. Understanding the use of and having to deal with that same ditch remains two different things. It becomes apparent when after a rain. If you have never driven a muddy dirt road, it is easy to have an opinion. It is along those lines; I share the following story: Enjoy!

I was out driving in the country. I took a left onto a dirt road. After a short while, it became apparent this was a big mistake. The road was wet and muddy. All attempts to back up failed. I found my truck sliding towards a huge ditch. I look ahead and saw nothing but a straight road. My attempt at solving this problem was based on the assumption that I was on a straight road. I would go slow and steady till I got off this road. 

This road, like life, had a curve. I saw the issue I was facing. Luckily for me, I managed to navigate this curve rather well. It bolstered my confidence. It didn't eliminate my overall concern though.

My concern jumped to a new level when I saw what was before me. Ahead were smalls hills and shallow valleys. I was aware that I need a certain amount of speed to negotiate the smalls hills. If I go too fast, then I risk sliding into a ditch. If I go too slow, then I risk sliding back down the small hill into a ditch.

Up ahead, I saw another curve. It was at this point I realized I was going too fast. The brakes were useless. I attempted to downshift to use engine braking. When I came upon the curve, my momentum carried me forward into a ditch. 

This picture may not accurately portray the issue. From the bottom of the ditch to the top of the road is two to three feet. The driver's side of the truck buried itself into the mud. The passenger side has minimum contact with the road surface. All attempts to free myself fail. It was getting late, and the sun is setting. The temperature is falling fast. Luckily for me, I had some things with me I could use to keep warm until daylight.

A friend of mine asked me why didn't I walk back to the main roadway? Predators are known to be in this area. If you can hear them, then they are close enough to attack you. Bobcats, Puma, and Cougars are known to be in this area. All that night, I heard them calling. It was better to wait until daylight than fight the darkness, the muddy road, as well as defend myself against an attack.

Life is not fair. Life has never been fair. A person is responsible for the decisions they make in their life. Yet, this stands in contrast to reality. Criminals flaunt the law to the aggravation of their victims. Some people seem to find success easily, while others never find it.

I returned and saw under the sun that— The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all. - Ecclesiastes 9:11

Sincerely,

David A. Kitchens, Editor