Which path

Where You go I will follow but how do I get there, where go I go?  There are so many paths from which to choose, how do I make the right choice?  It seems like ever turn I make there is a path so I could choose option one or option 1,001; how do I know which is correct?  The commands I have heard and do my best to follow; hence I have weeded out some of the paths but still many remain, many look appealing other overgrown.  I have come to understand that often the overgrown entrances are not indicative of entire path; the frightening, painful entrances protect the lush, beauteous path.  The opposite, too, is true, some inviting entrances protect the most wick and terrifying paths...how do I choose?  Where You go I will follow but how exactly do I follow?  How do I decipher such paths?  The river is wide and I have difficulty crossing over; yet neither have I such magnificent wings to fly, will you send me a boat that I may cross for in the path I see your footprints and long to follow.  A boat I now see a few yards from me, I shall walk and take the boat across the river.  Alas, no oars, how shall I paddle?  I want only to follow You but have no oars and the tides are strong.  The footprints are fading, why are there no oars?  And no the rains fall upon the boat and cover, further, your prints.  I must reach the other bank before the rains sweep away my chance to directly follow You.  A bow of a tree lies upon the ground, it should make a suitable oar.  In my hast to retrieve the bow, I neglect to fasten the boat and the current takes from me, my vessel.  My trip to the opposite shore seems impossible yet necessary for as I gaze in its direction, I see your footprints lead up the sand up the sandy hill and disappear in the horizon.  I must cross this river...and so I walk up stream to find a crossing.  After walking, in the rain, for what seems like hours, I find a tree has fallen and lies perpendicular to the river's edge.  A gymnast I am not but see my prize of Your footsteps so I decide to venture across its trunk. Part way across and my mind begins to race, I have second thoughts about this crossing yet something keeps me going, something tells me this is my passage.  So I continue, one baby step at a time for I fear loosing my footing.  Finally, the last step and kerplunk...foot in the river.  With one soaking foot I manage my passage to the opposite side and begin to run along the river's bank in the direction of Your footprints.  Though I tire, I continue  yet with slower steps.  The sun is bright, warming my very soul.  As I near the place where I saw your prints, I see on the opposite and a stranger obviously struggling to cross the river. A few feet ahead, on the left, the prints, ah I have made it!  With excitement, I begin to run toward the path.  My heart frantically beating with excitement for while the prints are faded, they are still able to be seen.  I have made it and giggle with excitement.  But then, I look to the opposite bank where I see the struggles, I feel the sadness of a stranger looking to cross looking to following In Your footprints.   I try to tell her that there is a crossing some miles up river but the river is roaring making it too difficult to verbally communicate.  I point, I motion but the stranger looks more confused and quite shaken.  No, no, I wave, I am not mocking...ahh the footprints are right here and fading, this is my chance, but this stranger looks so sad.  If I had but something to mark this entrance, a rock, a stick, something then I would be sure find it again.  I mean what if I can't find it again, what if all the footprints fade, then what?  How will I know my path?  This stranger can surely find her way, I did, why can't she?  With one step toward the path, my heart calls me back to the river.  I see the stranger attempting to wade through its ferocious current, surely she will be swept down river, even drown.  No, I cannot let that happen.  Frantically I wave to her, motioning that she return to the bank.  She does and I point in the direction of the fallen tree. I point and walk, she follows. As we travel up river I can't help but think of the fading footprints, my hope is shaken but I continue to walk as does this stranger.  Finally the tree, I motion for her to cross but she seems so scared, so I tap into my newly discovered gymnastic abilities and walk across the river.  "Come", I said, "I will help you across."  

To which she replied, "Why would I want to cross over?"

"But you were wading in the river, trying to cross?"

"Yes, I was trying to get your attention, did you not see the huge grizzly bear standing in the path you were about to embark upon?"

"No, of course not, there was no bear, just footprints, footprints I need to follow."

"Why would you need to follow footprints of a bear?"

Confused, I look back and sure enough, the prints I was tracking we those of a bear, a huge bear liable to swallow me whole.  Somehow, somewhere I got lost in my own thoughts, lost among the tangible markings of the world and forgot to listen, forgot the drive of my heart.  Here, I thought I was to follow what I see, what can be seen though sight not that from the eyes but rather the heart.  The heart speaks ever so loudly yet ever so gently.  Had I not listened to my heart, to help a perfect stranger, I would have been devoured.  I thought my trek up river was for her, but it was for me.  I learned to listen, to see and hear with my heart to act with kindness, with compassion, with understanding, in faith.  Actions of faith make straight the path, any path, for actions of faith cut through the overgrown foliage, act as a bridge, even an oar when needed.  Clouded and decided by the pressures chants by society, I have fallen prey to sure a lure.  Wise I have become, understanding gifted to my being and now I know how to follow You.  I shall listen, You shall lead and together we will pave a path marked by faith and lit by love.  My heart is awakened, I hear Your words, they say, "Act with justice, walk in peace, I will show you the way for I am the way, the truth and the light.  You now see me, trust in Me, believe in Me, I am your home."  This is the path, the truth I shall follow.