The Nightly Short Cut

I was a 12 year old boy conducting an Eagle Court of Honor for Jim when I heard my grandfather tell this story. I have never forgotten it and though I may not have the details correct or exact, the message remains the same.

Every night a man would take a short cut through the cemetary on his way home from work. One day it had been raining and during his walk home he went through the wet cemetary as he usually did. With the storm the night was dark and it was difficult to see but he knew the route well and continued on his way. Suddenly there was no earth beneath his feet and he fell into a deep hole. He realized what had happened. A fresh grave had been dug. It was wet and muddy inside. He began to try and climb out of the grave but the walls were slippery with wet dirt and there wasn't much to hold on to. He tried repeatedly but kept falling. After sometime he heard a voice from an unknown companion in the grave. "You might as well give up" the stranger said "I have tried and tried and there is no way out. We will simply have to wait until the morning when the workers return". Undettered by this new companion the man continued to climb and to struggle. He continued to fall but he did not give up. Finally he found a foot hold here and a hand hold there and was albe to make his way from the hole and continued on his journey home.

Grandpa Al then went on to share the poem It Couldnt Be Done by Edgar Guest. That has been my favorite poem ever since. I think I have written that in the blog allready so I will not write it now. Maybe I have not. Can't remember. I will review later and add it to this post if I have not. Anyway, sometimes we encounter challenges in our lives and we may find those that are telling us to give up and to stop trying that there is no way out. There are plenty to tell you that it cannot be done. It is then that we must redouble our efforts and keep climbing, continuing faithful and trusting in the Lord. The trial will pass and we will find ourselves stronger on the other side.

Just a little reminder for myself tonight.