If you have an opportunity, watch cattle. Few stray off the beaten path.

They line up, single file, and walk the same path every day. The grass on that path becomes beaten down and dies.

That seems funny, because most cows have an entire field to explore. However, think about our own behavior.

• Notice families on vacation.
• Check interstates that lead to well-known tourist attractions.
• Compare restaurant chains to little-known cafes.

Cars line up like cattle, one after the other, all with the same destination.

I challenge you to go off the beaten path.

• Skip the crowded beaches, amusement parks, and restaurants.
• Learn to read a map instead of depending on another person or devices’s directions.
• Choose an out-of-the-way place to visit.

Tiny crooked roads led to some of our family’s greatest adventures.

• We crossed mountains, crept down dirt roads, and explored small towns.
• We traveled miles without a sign of civilization.
• We discovered one-of-a-kind festivals and art shows.
• We drove a highway many consider the most scenic in America.

All these we found by looking on a map and saying, “That looks interesting.”

We enjoy the well-worn, high traffic areas too. Yet, nothing compares to the little known jewels we found off the beaten path.

Look for those scenic, relaxing places away from the crowds. While you’re at it, seek spiritual refreshment found only in moments alone with God.

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1).

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