Where to begin...

Recently, I finally convinced my fiancee to sit down and watch The Lord of the Rings trilogy. That's right - she hadn't seen them before. Believe it or not, she hasn't seen the Star Wars trilogy (or twin trilogy) either, but we're working on that. So, on Sunday evening we watched The Fellowship of the Ring.

On Monday morning, due to inclement weather, we both called in to work to spend the cold day shivering together under a blanket. Kim, to my surprise, suggested watching The Two Towers. That evening, we finished the trilogy with The Return of the King. Now, keep in mind that I only own the extended editions - which means we watched 12 hours of movies in a 24 hour time frame.

I loved it.

I had forgotten the truly epic scope of those movies. Aragorn is both heartbreaking and heroic for me - desperately afraid of becoming who he was born to be, yet gloriously unable to run from it. His rough exterior serves to further the romance of his heart, while the strength in his arm fights to save the lives of his friends. Those movies, and Aragorn's quest, are a rescue for my heart. And they are a perfect way to begin this stage of my journey...

In the movie, Frodo makes reference to a statement by Bilbo Baggins of the Shire.

"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door," he used to say. "You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to."

This is where I find myself, now...carefully stepping out the door, fearful of where my feet will take me, and worried about the "no knowing" part. It is rare that I record my musings on God, Christ, and the spiritual journey I am undertaking - it has been far too long since I boldly set out my door on a journey of unknown beginnings and endings knowing only that I will most assuredly be swept off somewhere worth while. Far too long indeed...

So, today I begin the journey. Today, we shall see where the road takes us, and we will enter the fray unarmed and unafraid. We will pray for the strength, for the guidance, for the Godly desire that leads young men to battle fiercely and with grim determination. And we will pray that the endings are not nearly so dark as the beginnings when all is said and done.

The Road Goes Ever On

The Road goes ever on and on

Down from the door where it began.

Now far ahead the Road has gone,

And I must follow, if I can,

Pursuing it with eager feet,

Until it joins some larger way

Where many paths and errands meet.

And whither then? I cannot say.

-- J R R Tolkien