The Road Less Traveled

When I was in high school my favorite poem was The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost.

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

I really think I liked this poem because I could dissect it and the language was understandable.  But the other day I was reminded of this poem, due to a Bible study with Bonnie.  We studied Matthew 7.  The scripture from 13 and 14 stood out to me:

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Since Bonnie is a Witness, this scripture is proof that those not in the truth are on the "easy" road in life.   Matthew 7: 21 continues:

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Bonnie says she refuses to "give up" on me.  As if I am a lost puppy...but to her I am lost - lost in the world.  I suppose that when you believe all religion is false and the world is only encouraging false beliefs you would be scared for those you love.

I have only agreed to meet with Bonnie because she said she missed us and loved us.  I was naive to believe she would just come and visit without bringing her Bible, new magazines, and conducting a study.  She desperately wants me to see that I am part of the world of wickedness.  That I need to jump on board the Witness Ark to be rescued when Armageddon comes.   

To Bonnie, Armageddon is coming soon - she says withing 25 years.  Her daughter, Dana, said that the Bible clearly states we will not know the time.  For Dana Armageddon could come today or 50 years from now, but she doesn't worry because she is in the Truth.

I would like to think that I did not take the road most others took...but I also don't want to be in the Truth.  Maybe one day I will look back at this blog post and laugh at my stupid self saying, "See how you were SO into the world that you were blinded to the truth?"  But I am almost 100% certain that I could never give up holidays and fantasies (i.e. Santa, fairies, make-believe, theater, music, etc.).

Yes, music is in that list.  One should only sing hymns from the Witness songbook at meetings.  This means no worship songs, and nothing that I really love to sing to God.  If the Truth is the truth and the Earth gets renewed and humans live in harmony (i.e. new system of things) it would be very interesting to hear what people sing.  No rock, no profanity, nothing that doesn't come from the Bible - would there be self expression?

I want it to go on record that I would be able to give up holidays and birthdays and only wear "churchy" clothing (i.e. skirts and pant suits), but not getting to express myself in song would be death for me.  Do I think that Satan has put this thought in my mind and heart?  No. 

So maybe I am part of this system of things: Satan's system.  I will wear my flip-flops, tattoos, sparkly toes, nose piercing (one of these days) and multi-colored hair proudly; singing songs that bring joy to my heart and to others.  Living for today and not worrying about the future destruction of mankind.  If this means I don't get to live with a khaki-colored pant and button-downed shit wearing husband watching our perfect children adorning modest dresses whilst running in the meadows (Little House on the Prairie style) celebrating the truth, then that's quite all right with me.