Throwing Gutter Balls

     Before rising this morning I had a "talk" with God. As I lie in bed pondering the day, I asked the Lord about His Will and how it's possible to know it. My thoughts went to a bowling alley (of all places, since I rarely bowl). But the picture was of a lane that had the bumpers up which keep the ball from going into the gutter. Bumpers are used when little kids are playing and haven't learned how to control their bowling balls. It keeps them out of the gutters and allows the player to have more success.
     The following thought was that as a believer in Jesus Christ, God puts the "bumpers" up for my path in life. Although I can certainly choose my own errant ways, for the most part, if I am aiming down the center of life wanting to be in God's will, but occasionally throwing "gutter balls," I am in His will. He ultimately is in control and will only let me weave to a certain degree off course, unless I am willfully choosing to be out from under His protection, in which case, He'll allow me to end up in the gutter of my choice.
     The gutter will either lead me to the ball return where I can repent, ask God's forgiveness and start over on a better path or refuse to repent and change my ways and end up stuck spinning in the ball return. There I will be destine to remain in a dark rut of my own selection.
     God obviously knows my frailties and weaknesses so He sent me a "bumper" to guide and protect me on my path. My "bumper" is the Holy Spirit, and if I am willing to listen to His still small voice, my days of throwing gutter balls will be limited, although knowing me, not totally eliminated.

Luke 11:13 "...If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Our grandson unable to throw a gutter ball due to the "bumpers" being up:)