Detours.

Why do I revisit places I've been before? I think that's the definition of crazy. Doing the same thing over and over expecting different results. Am I crazy? Or do I just get to bogged down with the mundane and repetitive I forget to live outside every-day tasks?

I am by nature a person who likes routine. But at the same time also thrive in the change of scenery from experiencing new things and places. It's really difficult for my husband to figure out...and for me. But as I get closer to the big 4-0 than from the big 3-0, I want to be live differently. The thrill of experiencing new and getting out of the mundane fills my soul. Yet I still live in this cyclical place of needing some resemblance of order, and consequently: routine becomes mundane. Sometimes I get caught in the place of perfectionism. Sometimes (usually) there are interruptions which keep me from finishing soul stirring thoughts, and implementing them. Sometimes it's pure lack of energy to think differently that holds me from finding the pure joy that comes from experiencing life to the full, as I break from the routine. Sometimes it's fear. Often it's fear.

We recently took a day trip over the highest mountain pass in America. It's beautiful. But it wasn't our goal. We wanted new family pictures. So, we were driving to see some beautiful mountains that many travel from around the globe to see. We saw. We conquered. Or we walked the level, gravel path to a great place to take a picture. With a cranky kid or two.

On our way home after many failed wall-worthy family picture attempts, we saw a sign. I vaguely recalled having heard of this place, but didn't recollect what it was. In a last-second, veer-off-the highway decision we parked the car and got out to explore. And it helped the car-sick kid catch his breath of fresh air. There was a bridge, and a trail, so we blindly followed. It was beautiful, but nothing different than we have near our house. However, as we explored more we saw signs taking us to ice caves and beautiful waterfalls. An interwoven trail which brought us over unique God-made rocks with caverns, and a Narnia-like worlds. And we watched our kids as they found endless imagination. It was that last second decision to take a detour which brought our kids to a deep place of pretending and soul filling play which makes them full of delight. We climbed, we waded, we conquered.

And, I wonder if this isn't a picture of life.If we don't take the detour maybe this is where our definition of crazy begins. We become trapped in fear, interruptions become a burden, life seems to have no purpose. Routine becomes mundane. Perfectionism eats away at our souls. Maybe we miss God. We definitely cannot hear Him as well.

As God takes us on detours from what we thought our path should look like, we can find  contentment. We find true filling of our souls and imagination and maybe a glimpse as to what our purpose in life should be, or why He made us. We're less cranky. And suddenly the purpose of the trip doesn't seem to matter. Because we've experienced drinking from the deep peace He gives us from fully giving our lives to Him. Including the detours.