The Road Not Taken

Robert Frost

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Young Suzanne chose to memorize this poem sometime during her middle school years.  I chose this poem because it was about adventure – which intrigued me (yes, it was for a class & yes it was one of the shortest options).

I was not always keen on adventure or trying new things.  I have my dad & a water slide to thank for giving me the confidence I needed to make courageous decisions, go after adventure, & not let my fears stop me from doing something.

okay, more on that another time…

back to Mr. Frost

The thing that intrigued me about this poem was the last three lines:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Throughout the whole piece Frost denotes that the traveler had to make a decision whether; to enjoy the tried & true path, or dare to enter a path of uncertainty.  Ultimately, the traveler decided to explore the path less traveled, “And that has made all the difference.”  He doesn’t say what the path as like – was it hard? was it fun? did he run into Bambi?  There is freedom here for us to decide whether ‘all the difference’ is a good thing or a bad thing.

In my life, taking the road less traveled has looked like Sunday morning paper routes, transferring schools, being the best 2nd team setter & high fiver… but each of these things has given life to the lessons, moments & memories that I will cherish forever; hours of country music & mother daughter time, my best friends, letting Jesus wreck my life, & learning to love & celebrate others successes more than my own – THESE are my ‘all the difference’

I recently heard a sermon titled “The Grateful Road” that talked about the story in Luke 17 where Jesus healed 10 lepers.  Jesus healed all 10 but only one returned to thank Him.  The pastor encouraged the listeners to take a step back & look at their lives, to observe the highs & lows, the moments & decisions that kept bringing them closer & closer to Jesus – like the one who turned back and thanked Jesus for healing.  I was able to reflect on my life & the times I’ve taken the road less traveled & see how God has blessed those decisions & sent people into my life to encourage me, love me, show me grace, & appreciate me.

Dare to take the road less traveled.

Let life surprise you.

Enjoy the unexpected.

Like Robby said, & I can assure you, it will make all the difference.