I am sharing this story because it contains a lesson we all need to learn. While the details are a bit fuzzy, the lesson delivered remains loud & clear. I can’t recall the first time I heard or maybe read it, but for “some reason” the story entered my head while baking at the abbey today. It is still in my head, so I thought I had better share it with you. Over the years I learned to never ask “why”, “where” or “how” these things arrive in my head, I just accept the “gift” and write…so, here goes…
One winter’s eve in northern Minnesota, a father and his two sons decided to go for a walk across a frozen lake. Their goal was to reach the lighthouse on the other side then return home. It was easy to see the lighthouse with its beacon shining brightly. It had snowed earlier in the day, so the snow covering the lake had yet to be disturbed. Thus, there were no footprints or paths to follow.
Off the three went.
Dad was determined this walk wasn’t going to be like many of their other walks – the “I got there first so I am the winner” type, so after they had walked a short distance he challenged the boys to a contest. This time was going to be different. He was going to use the walk to illustrate a lesson.
“Let’s see who can walk the straightest line to the lighthouse.”
Sometimes dad would be in the lead. Sometimes it was one of the boys. And sometimes they all walked together in a group, laughing & joking as they went.
Eventually, they all reached the lighthouse.
“Time to look back and see who walked the straightest,” said dad. “You do remember which path you made, right?”
Looking back across the lake they could see the three paths clearly. The path of each boy zigged and zagged all over; whereas dad’s was fairly straight, requiring little to no correction.
“How did you do that dad?” Asked one of the boys. “How come your path is pretty straight and ours look like snakes?”
“Well, ” said dad, “I was watching you boys as you walked and whenever you stopped, you looked back to where you started and made corrections based on that. I did something different. I kept my focus on the lighthouse. I never looked back to where I had been. I only looked at where I was going.”
With that, the dad and his kids began the walk back home – dad hoping his kids got the message and the two boys walking towards the light of their home applying what they had just learned.
Dan’s View 
Great story Dan! Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike