I was thinking again today about how the path of life can take sudden, usually unwelcome turns. But then I was reminded that even when we find ourselves in unexpected places, new routes can appear.

Of course, I can’t see anything good about bereavement or devastating health diagnoses, apart from the faithful friends who come alongside us to help us when times are hard. But there are different stories about people overcoming their circumstances and achieving something despite the odds, so there are times when that can happen.

We can see our best made plans crumble or our dreams of the future turn to dust. I understand the pain of that. But there has to be another direction we can take. Has one option been blocked for you? Can you see where the alternate route is taking you? Can you believe that there is promise within that too?

I’m still not good at seeing alternatives but I am slowly recognising that I have met people and written stories that I would never have done, if life for me had been the way I expected it to be.

Maybe we can’t defy our circumstances, maybe we wish they were different, but there is a small chance that we will find new treasures there. Keep your eyes peeled!