5 Steps To Get Back On Track

When you get derailed,
how to you get back on track? 

It can happen so easily.
I can be cruising along, then one little thing distracts or disorients me
and I’m out of whack. 

Does that happen to you?
When you need
answers,
peace,
direction,
or purpose,
how do you get back on track?

Take exercising for example.
 

I don’t love it, but I know I need to do it.
I’ve taken up walking largely because most of my friends
want to move instead of sit
sipping coffee and munching on an exquisite pastry.
It’s very disappointing.
But I digress.

I’m walking. 
Walking as a serious form of exercise.

This is not strolling.
This is not wandering and wondering.
This is not taking time to smell the roses.

This means special shoes with squishy insoles
and a new bra.

I walk in the cemetery across the street from my house.
It’s close to home and indoor plumbing.

Recently, Mr. 4-Ever decided to join me.
(Mr. 4-Ever is my husband, Dave). 

As we clipped along the asphalt paths,
I drew his attention to cemetery points of interest.

Tombstones from the 1800’s.
Tiny markers for tiny babies.
Hot & Hunky’s headstone.
Hot & Hunky (Jay) was my husband
until he died of a heart attack at the age of 39.

“Where is Adventure Boy buried?” Mr. 4-Ever asked.
Adventure Boy (Craig) is the husband
after Hot & Hunky and before Mr. 4-Ever.

Adventure Boy (Craig) died in a plane crash.
It took weeks of searching
by the Civil Air Patrol,
Coast Guard,
State Police,
FAA, and
NASA
to find his crash site and when they finally did
I brought him home and buried him under
the bronzed tombstone with both our names on it.

“I’ll show you,” I panted
thankful for an excuse to rest
and reorient.

We walked
                 …and walked
                                       … and walked.

I couldn’t find the marker.
Disoriented in the maze of tombstones,
I couldn’t find him.

Just like when he’d disappeared.
He was missing again.

An anxious feeling welled up in me so
I took a cue from Civil Air Patrol search protocol
which is:

Get your bearings.
Ask others to help.
Design a search pattern.
Start the search from the last known sighting.
Keep looking till you find what you search for.

I paused, and prayed for God to quiet and calm me.
I asked Mr. 4-Ever to help me.
He got a cemetery plot map at the office.
We started from the entrance and
found the marker.

When your world seems out of sync.
When you lose your way
or your direction,
or your purpose,
or your passion,
take a page from the C.A.P. manual.

1.

Stop and get your bearings.

I know that when you’re so busy it feels like you’re reeling out of control,
taking time to stop and reflect seems counterintuitive.
But do it.

2.

Quiet yourself and ask God for guidance.
Call in reinforcements to help you.
Ask the Holy Spirit to guide and council you.
Ask friends and family.
Lean on experts and scholars.
Research possible solutions.

3.

Design your search pattern
starting from the last known place of peace or purpose.

Where was the last place you had what you search for?
When was the last time experienced what you search for?
Who was the last person who possessed what you search for?

4.

Implement your search.

Do you need to pray?
Do you need to go back to school?
Do you need to get out of a dangerous relationship?
Do you need a new job?
Do you a second opinion?
Do you need a new way of eating or exercising or scheduling?

5.

Keep looking till you find
your answer,
your peace,
your way,
your direction,
your purpose,
or your passion.

We all have moments or even seasons when
life is turned upside-down and sideways.

When you are disoriented and searching for balance,
follow the protocol that will steady and steer you.

With God’s help and the assistance of his people,
you’ll get back on track.

Prayer: God in Heaven, I’m so glad you can keep track of me when I have trouble keeping track of everything and anything. Lead me when I’m lost. Guide me when I’m confused. Highlight my path. Thank you in advance. Amen

11 Comments

  1. Paula Woods on October 9, 2017 at 12:32 am

    Hi I’m soooooo there right now!! I’m 60 and sence Silver Birch my knee has been throbbing . I’ve done Child Care for the past 17 years . I absolutely love little children it’s my God given gift. Last Tuesday my knee went pop and now I’m done . I can’t carry babies anymore and I’m so sad. But. Believe God has something especially for me because He has never left me

    • Robyn Dykstra on October 9, 2017 at 12:47 am

      Oh Paula, if we could all operate in that faith. Thanks for setting the example for us.
      I’m praying for your knee to behave and for a job opportunity to present itself to you.

  2. Marge Elling on October 9, 2017 at 1:08 am

    Beautiful words to live by. Thank you for God’s great reminders to come back close to him when we are searching.
    Have a Blessed week.

  3. Shirl Medendorp on October 9, 2017 at 1:48 am

    Thank you for your message. By the way I gave away a copy of your book, not the autographed one!!! Trust it will be passed on. Love in Christ, Shirl

    • Robyn Dykstra on October 9, 2017 at 2:07 am

      Thanks Shirl. You are a great encourager.

  4. Savannah on October 9, 2017 at 1:49 am

    Robyn I am just in tears at how you spoke into my heart.
    I am expecting my 2nd son in about 4 weeks and in the last 6 months my whole life has turned upside down. I’m in a fog a daze not knowing where or what to do. I have been crying for hours in search in prayer and as I sit in bed I read a few emails . I read yours and boom I am not alone in my room suddenly you are here speaking into my heart! I don’t know where or what to do but I know, I am not alone. I don’t have a mom but I believe this is what it would feel like if I did.
    Thank you

    • Robyn Dykstra on October 9, 2017 at 2:06 am

      Savannah,
      First, congratulations on the baby that’s on his way. How wonderful.
      You aren’t alone. Reach out to Jesus and to the body of Christ near you.
      I’m praying that you find a mentor or Titus 2 woman who will help you find your way.

  5. Teri Burns on October 9, 2017 at 1:57 am

    Since Silver Birch Ranch when things get crazy, I reflect on your sessions and I find myself coming back to the 7 promises of God. Thank you for a wonderful weekend.

    God Bless.

    • Robyn Dykstra on October 9, 2017 at 1:59 am

      That makes me so happy. Thanks for the encouragement – sorry it comes out of your chaos! 🙂

  6. Brenda Major on October 9, 2017 at 11:25 am

    When your email says exactly what my heart needed to hear, I could count it as a coincidence but I know it’s not. God knows what my heart needs and today He used you to speak to me. God bless you and the work you do.

    • Robyn Dykstra on October 9, 2017 at 9:04 pm

      Thank you, Brenda. We all have days when we wonder if we make any difference. Seems like we got a win-win today. 🙂

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