The Road Home

 The other day, I was returning from a trip and decided to take a new route home. Somewhere along the way, I stopped paying attention and missed the connection I needed. I called for help, figured out what I needed to do, and set off again. But I grew impatient. I pulled up the map on my phone and saw what looked like a shortcut, so I took it.

To my disappointment, I found myself in a very unfamiliar area. The surroundings made me uncomfortable. I kept asking myself, Why didn’t I pay attention? Why did I have to take a shortcut? But I stayed calm, used my head, and kept trying to find my way. One road didn’t lead to the highway I needed. Another was closed off entirely. I sat at a traffic light, anxious for it to turn green, and locked my doors. Bars and so-called “gentlemen’s clubs” surrounded me.

I didn’t panic. I used common sense and eventually found a familiar road. I made it home safely, tired, a little shaken, and thirty minutes later than planned. But I got there.
I used three things:

1. A call home
2. A map
3. My heart and brain

Later that night, as I knelt in prayer, that experience came back to me. I asked my Heavenly Father for direction in this season of my life. I realized I’ve been traveling a road I’ve never been on before. Not everything along the way feels secure or comfortable. But what a blessing it was to feel peace and clarity settle into my heart. I knew my Father was guiding me safely back to Him, if I would just listen and obey.

Sometimes, just like that night, I think I’ve found a shortcut or a better way. But those shortcuts often lead to places I don’t want to be.
To make it home spiritually, I need:

1. To listen to my Heavenly Father
2. To use the scriptures and the counsel of living prophets as my map
3. To trust the Spirit within me

Even when the path is unfamiliar and the night feels long, I know the way home is lit by faith, mapped by scripture, and guided by the Spirit. And with every step, I draw closer to Him.