Somewhere Down the Road
By Colleen Swindoll Thompson
Silence has become a friend of mine. But it wasn’t always that way.
In case you haven’t noticed, stress can generate a massive amount of noise. Trying to wrap your hands around spilling grief is like trying to catch a roaring waterfall with tissues—there could never be enough to dry it up, but my heart has shaken as I’ve tried. My mind has boomed as I’ve scoured books and resources looking for quiet relief. It has clanked, whether I’ve tried to sit still or stay busy. And the iron ball of bitterness has banged so loudly it could have awakened the neighbors. To this day, my heart can beat so hard with stress my ears ring. And yet, God’s mercy and His grace continue to soften the rattling.
This happened to me on a drive one lovely, still evening. As the road ahead stretched out long, dark, and quiet, I turned on the radio. And the lyrics of a song whispered to my soul.
Somewhere down the road
There’ll be answers to the questions
Somewhere down the road
Though we cannot see it now
And somewhere down the road
You will find mighty arms reaching for you
And they will hold the answers at the end of the road.¹
How many times I had searched for answers. How I had longed for the Lord to help me understand His plan.
The song kept playing: “Somewhere down the road, somewhere down the road. . . .”
I thought, Am I willing to wait until the end of the road? Am I willing to let go of my own way, even if . . . well, the song says it all . . .
So much pain and no good reason why
You’ve cried until the tears run dry
Nothing here can make you understand
The one thing that you held so dear
Is slipping from your hands
And you say
Why, why, why
Does it go this way
And why, why, why
And all I can say
Somewhere down the road . . .
Though we cannot see it now
Somewhere down the road
You will find mighty arms reaching for you
And they will hold the answers at the end of the road
Yesterday I thought I’d seen it all
I thought I’d climbed the highest wall. . . .
And all I know to do is keep on walking
Walking ’round the bend saying . . .²
Whether you’re in quiet or in clamor, somewhere down your road are answers—and, when you get there, you will likely find your questions were more about finding relief than surrendering. Along every road are mighty arms, the open arms of almighty God that reach out for you to fall into them. Fall. Yes, fall into His arms and allow Him to drive you down the road and quiet your spirit.
About the author
Colleen Swindoll Thompson
Colleen Swindoll Thompson holds a bachelor of arts degree in Communication from Trinity International University as well as minors in psychology and education. Colleen serves as the director of Reframing Ministries at Insight for Living Ministries. From the personal challenges of raising a child with disabilities (her son Jonathan), Colleen offers help, hope, and a good dose of humor through speaking, writing, and counseling those affected by disability. Colleen and her husband, Toban, have five children and reside in Frisco, Texas.
