One of my very favorite poems of all time is Robert Frost’s “Stopping By Woods On A Snowy Evening.” I pretty much know it by heart. Years ago I found the most remarkable little picture for sale in a candle shop. Though I’m sure it wasn’t meant to, it perfectly depicts the road from the poem on the snowy evening in the woods.

I bought the picture and had it re-matted and framed with the words to the poem traveling around the picture through cut outs in the mat. The last stanza of the poem says; “The woods are lovely, dark and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.”

I’m thinking about those miles I have to go before I “sleep” into eternity. Therefore; “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14) I want to accomplish everything I’m called and capable of doing, how about you? In the end, we want our lives to matter, don’t we?

But along the way, there are some snowy woods to savor. There are times to stop for no other reason except that beauty and peace and relaxation call. There is a balance to life. Live in present time but don’t forget the larger purposes of life. They say; “Take time to smell the roses.” Or view the woods on a snowy evening. Yes, go ahead – do that. Stop for a moment and then press on.