Oh the Places You'll Go

In the children's sermon at church this morning, Andrew, the minister, said he'd like to read a little passage from a well known author.  He mentioned the title of the book, Oh the Places You'll Go, and then introduced the author himself, "Dr. Zues".  I had to smile.  I'm going to miss the way the Irish pronounce things, or shall I say, "tings". 

"Dr. Zeus", Andrew said, wrote a great piece on "The Waiting Place" and he proceeded to read from the book...

The Waiting Place…for people just waiting.

Waiting for a train to go or a bus to come, or a plane to go or the mail to come, or the rain to go or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow or waiting around for a Yes or No or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is just waiting.

Now Andrew ended his reading there but the story goes on to say:

Waiting for the fish to bite or waiting for wind to fly a kite or waiting around for Friday night or waiting, perhaps, for their Uncle Jake or a pot to boil, or a Better Break or a string of pearls, or a pair of pants or a wig with curls, or Another Chance. Everyone is just waiting.

Every time I hear about this book, or quotes from it, I think of graduation.  Graduation is a time when young adults set off into the world for new adventures.  Perhaps they plan to attend college, to travel abroad, to volunteer, to begin an internship or to start their career.  Who knows, but in the time between graduation and what's next, people tend to wait. 

I too am waiting.  The last few weeks have been a time of contemplation for me.  I have to decide what my "better break" will be, or at least what's next.  Oh the Places You'll Go is a constant reminder to me that there are bigger and better things out there, always.  It doesn't mean I'll always be on the run, but it does mean that I'll set my sites high and be encouraged to look forward, no matter where I am in my life. I can appreciate all that I have and be optimistic about all that is to come. 

I hope that you too will be encouraged; encouraged to appreciate what you have and be thankful for all that God has given you, and at the same time, excited about what He has in store for you.

So remember:

Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.