Five Chapters

This morning in church, as part of his Autobiography, our Priest read five chapters of his life.  He said these five chapters may be found in all of our lives.  I am sure his book did not start with these five chapters nor will they end with these five chapters.  Here they are as best I can recall.

1. I was walking down the sidewalk and there was a huge hole I did not see.  I fell into the hole.  It was not my fault.  I was in the hole for a long time before I found my way out.
2. I was walking down the sidewalk and there was a huge hole, and although I saw it, I fell into it.  It was not my fault.  I was in the hole for a long time before I found my way out.
3. I was walking down the sidewalk and there was a huge hole.  I saw it and tried not to fall into it, but I did anyway.  It was my fault.  I was in the hole only a short while.
4. I was walking down the sidewalk and there was a huge hole.  I saw it and I walked around it.
5. I am now walking down a different sidewalk.

I think I knew this priest or perhaps one of his brothers when I attended Dodge City JUCO.  He, or if it was his brother, was very troubled.  Perhaps even if he is not one of the brothers I am thinking of, I must assume he was very troubled in his life at times as this is his Autobiography.  Now he is a Priest and a very, very good Priest.  I can only look back at my life, and although I have been blessed in so many ways, there were times when I too lived my own five chapters, just as I am sure many if not all who read this have.  Even today, I find myself wanting to go back down that dark path, but I know I will be able to resist.

May all who have not found their way to the “other sidewalk” keep looking; it is there.  Until that day, may God bless and protect you until you too find that special path.

Pete