The Way "Home"

The story is told of a young lad who had gone with an older companion to the prominence of a high hill that overlooked the valley of his home. The long effort upward had tired the boy, and he thought longingly of the comfort and security which now seemed so far away. He turned to his companion and said: “How do we get home?” and was answered with sweeping words and gestures: “Just down this trail, and over that hill, and along that road and up that street, and there we are home.” Somewhat assured, but still with the grim reality of distance facing him, the boy replied: “You can talk your way home fast, can’t you? But I’m tired, and it takes a long time to walk there.” In our dreams, and in conversation, we can bridge over many obstacles, and save ourselves much hard work, ignoring great distances and much time—but in life itself, with the limitations of reality before us, it is a matter of living from hour to hour, from day to day, and no amount of tall talk or hopeful wishing is going to set aside the facts. We may see where “home” is, but the eye travels faster than the feet, and the wish is far ahead of the performance that would take us there. The only thing we can do is to move as surely and as safely as our means and our opportunities and our knowledge allow, toward that place which the Father of us all has in mind for each of us. “Do not run faster of labor more than you have strength and means provided . . . but be diligent unto the end.” That we shall go quickly or that we shall perform spectacularly is not important, but that we shall safely and surely move from hour to hour and day to day, and that we shall not lose the way, are things vital to all men who would realize their highest possibilities.