Potholes and Landmines

I was in a really good mood yesterday while driving Mikaela to school. It was the second day back from vacation and we were early for the second time! I was elated! When I'm feeling good like that I can't imagine ever feeling down again. God is good and He's done so much amazing (and painful) work in my life this last year I sometimes feel like I'm going to be free forever. It wasn't long ago that I looked ahead and felt like I saw a road riddled with huge potholes. I had to depend desperately on Christ to lead me through so I didn't fall into the pits of depression and self-condemnation and frustration stuck forever. He has led me and taught me so much that now I look ahead and see --- (Chuckle)... I was about to say I saw sunshine and meadows and blue skies, but knew that it was all a beautiful cover for a new challenge--navigating hidden landmines. There is no forever safe place until we reach heaven. Funny thing--no, hilarious thing--is that just then, the phone rang. It was Mikaela's school telling me she was supposed to be there early today (like every Thursday)... And I totally forgot. KABOOM! I just stepped on a landmine. Now, really, it wasn't a big deal. This was a small one. We semi-frantically got her to school about an hour late. So what? But what about the big ones that knock us flat and take the wind out of us? And why doesn't our faithful Shepherd who IS WITH US ALWAYS keep us from ever stepping on any to start with? Why doesn't He just eliminate all of them once and for all? Well, I have nothing but simple answers for those questions that at times seem trite but are still true. One thing I've learned is that I learn the most through the hard times and I am usually grateful for them after the fact. And I know that if He removed all the landmines and fixed all the potholes I wouldn't stay so close to Him. So I guess for now I'll just try to stay by my Shepherd and pay attention to His warnings and leadings... and enjoy the sunshine as long as it lasts. :)