Back before Christmas, I made a quick visit to my mom’s house in northeast Oklahoma to take care of a few things. I wasn’t really looking forward to the long drive home as I waved good bye out my car window. Then, I got the idea to make an intentional detour. I knew the area well enough to avoid toll roads and interstate highways for about a third of my journey. I figured it wouldn’t add more than an hour to my trip.
In Pawhuska, I drove under the familiar Season Greetings decorations that have hung over the main street during the Christmas season since I lived there in elementary school. I could also see the familiar live Christmas tree as I passed by the Triangle Building.
In Fairfax, family time spent at my grandparents house on 6th Street sprang to mind. The brick streets and broken sidewalks reminded me of the countless hours my cousins and I enjoyed trying to find the perfect path down them on our skateboards.
I rolled past the rusty old water tower in Ralston, the grand county courthouse in Pawnee, and the big Christmas tree made of large, round hay bales in Morrison. In between the small spots of civilization, I also enjoyed the unique scenery not available at seventy five miles an hours on toll roads. I saw the ponds that had been invaded by Canadian geese. 
There were the occasional old automobiles that had gone from project cars to lawn ornaments. I even saw a live armadillo scurrying off road (most of the ones I see along the road appear to be taking a nap)! I was also in awe of the majesty of the massive trunks and intricate branch patterns of the roadside trees that are only revealed during that time of year.
Adding that time to my trip was the perfect decision. My intentional detour transformed a long, tiring trip into an enjoyable drive. When I arrived home, I felt like I had been on a mini-vacation. I guess Robert Frost was right. The road less traveled does make all the difference.
Lord, thank you for giving me the Intentional Detour to use as a tool to refresh and revive my spirit. Please help me to look for opportunities to use them to remind me to slow down and appreciate the wonderful people, places, and things you surround me with each day.
What kind of Intentional Detour can you take today? This weekend? How about taking a road trip this summer using a paper map, or road atlas, instead of your GPS? Where will you go? What will you do along the way? Share your thoughts in the comment area.
