Roundabout Way

It was my husband’s birthday weekend.
To have a birthday on St. Patrick’s Day, and have the last name of Gallagher, is quite special.
He and I celebrated his birthday on his actual day.
The following day we had a family dinner.

We had seen our son and daughter-in-love, who live in Virginia, the weekend before.
We always FaceTime anyone who is not physically here.
It helps make sure that everyone is included.
How our grandchildren love to “help” blow out the birthday candles.

We all spent the afternoon together.
The volume goes up to a wonderful level when all five grandchildren are here.
Gates are placed in strategic locations for our grandson who loves to climb stairs.
Roast beef was on the menu and eating in the dining room was planned.

I got out my mother’s china, which has delicate green flowers around the plate.
The tablecloth was green as well.
There was a country pitcher with green sprigs.
We wore our Irish green proudly.

When we have family dinners, the food is always placed on the large kitchen island.
We pray together there and then everyone fills their plates.
They go into the dining room and sit at the large table.
The older grandchildren sit at what they call, the “cool kids table.”

I don’t remember when the small Fisher Price table and chair set got that name.
It has stuck.
That small table was in the foyer right next to us.
They always feel so old to have a table of their own.

The children always finish first, while the adults linger and talk.
My husband and I sit at each end of the table.
Our almost four-year-old granddaughter got up and came over to where I was sitting.
My seat was close to her mother.

Mama, I want to see Heidi, she said referring to her ten-month-old little sister.
Of course you can, her mama said.
As quick as a flash, she turned and went back the way she came.
She passed her aunts and uncles, her Pop-Pop, ran through the foyer, and into the kitchen.

We all giggled because her sister was right next to me in the high chair.
She would simply have to walk behind my chair to get to her.
She came into the dining room through the swinging door that was opened.
Where is she? She asked, truly not seeing her.

We all laughed.
She’s right here! We all said in unison.
She got very close to her sister’s face and put her cheek next to her.
There you are! I love you, she whispered, though still audible.

I thought about her roundabout route.
I thought of the Family Circus cartoon when Jeffy feels sick and Billy runs to get Mommy.
Billy runs but not directly to his Mommy.
The artist, Bill Keane, draws dotted lines to show Billy’s path around the house.

He goes downstairs, outside, back inside every room, and finally upstairs again.
His Mommy and Daddy are asleep in bed.
One would assume that Billy would simply have to walk across the hall to his parents.
However, his roundabout way was much more exciting, albeit much longer.

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)

So often, we are like my granddaughter or little Billy in the Family Circus cartoon.
We have to go from point A to point B.
However, we take detours or roundabout ways to get there.
This happens in life, but it also happens in our faith journey.

We should walk directly to God; but we don’t.
We should go from realizing we need a Savior, right into His arms; but we don’t.
We get distracted by the things of the world.
We make excuses or say that we will think about that tomorrow.

If we just followed The Way.
If we just realized that our striving and distractions keep us from Him.
If we just breathed a sigh of relief and said, There You are. I love You.
We can even whisper it, but the Lord Jesus will hear.

Can you imagine what the dotted lines look like on our faith journey?
Rarely is our path direct.
But He is near.
Sinner to Savior.

Praise Him!

2 responses to “Roundabout Way”

1. How absolutely beautiful & true, Gina. Thank you for sharing this! Very convicting!!

   Reply

   • Ann,
     I’m delighted you were blessed! I think we all are more like Billy than we care to admit. Blessings.
     Gina

     Reply