I grew up with dirt roads; walking on them, throwing rocks from them, wondering about the other end of them, and eventually needing help getting out of ditches along them. Lately, I’ve found myself needing one. Not to get more dust on my truck, but for the clear thoughts a dusty road can bring.

I found one the other day as a buddy and I were fishing in northeast Georgia. We were driving along a road (dirt of course) by a river I grew up camping on. Man, the memories that came rushing back and stories I could tell! As a matter of fact, I probably told too many stories while working our way up the mountain because my memory went to that incredibly stupid, mile-high-redneck-zip-line we constructed with rope and pulleys “back-in-the-day” (I’ll have to share about that  another time).

Truth is; there’s just something about a winding country road that aligns my thinking. When I’m there, I feel connected to earthy goodness and the simple stuff floats to the surface of my thoughts. In that environment, I seem to ask the right questions and dream the right dreams. Perhaps you would like to close your eyes for a minute and picture yourself there. If so, here are a few questions to ponder while enjoying the mountain laurel and river mist:

• Does God and His world still seem big and unpredictable to me, or have I tried to make Him small and more manageable?
• Do my daily actions display a commitment to core principles or do situations push me to compromise?
• Are my dreams and goals of the Lord?
• What have I learned so far on this journey and have I shared it with anyone?
• When was the last time I really laughed?
• If I never saw them again, would my family and friends know how much I love them?

You may have your own questions. If so, feel free to hang around…it’s a great place to find answers.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things.” – Philippians 4:8