Area cornfields have reached 10 feet and some fields have been chopped for silage, but in Sidney at VanDemark Farms, home of the Lost Land Corn Maze, they have once again created a corn maze or what I like to pun as “a maize maze.”
Although I have not yet experienced a walking maze, I feel life has prepared me for such amusement and I thought perhaps some of you may be interested in maze walking too. VanDemark Farm is located at exit 90 and operates weekends: Friday 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday noon – 11 p.m. and Sunday noon to 8 p.m. They also have zipline tours, hay rides, a bonfire, a giant swing, miniature golf, a petting zoo and a driving range (take your own clubs). Most of the activities are included with a purchase of a $10 bracelet.
I mentioned I feel life has prepared me for the corn maze because a maze mimics life in many ways. I’m guessing I’m not alone, but rather most of us have taken wrong turns, hit dead ends, and wasted time travelling in wrong directions unable to see what lies ahead. Thinking, all the while, we had our future mapped out only to discover we either ran out of money before we finished college, the first child came sooner than expected, we could not find a job or we continually found ourselves laid off every couple of years.
Eventually we get a better grasp of the maze of life (some of us sooner than others). Perhaps it’s because we have fewer opportunities or perhaps we have developed wisdom from those previous experiences effecting sound judgement, which may include consulting someone wiser than ourselves
No matter how battered we become making our way through the maze of life, there is actually only two ways to advance; move forward when we can, or step backwards and try something else when we cannot. We experience the maze on a spiritual level, as well as a physical level, and standing still or burying our head in the sand inhibits personal growth and physical progress.
Some of us believe there are no coincidences in life but guidance from above. A biblical source that supports this belief comes from Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths,” whereas psychologists term unexpectedly happenings or meaningful coincidences as synchronicity, which they believe comes from the unconscious mind.
It seems when things go smoothly and fall into place, we have most likely made the right choice. When our decisions or efforts run into resistance we need to re-examine our choices to be sure we are heading in the right direction. It’s true occasionally we are tested to see if we are strong enough for the rewards that follow, but sometimes road blocks are attempts to redirect your course. To conquer the maze we guard against distractions capable of diverting our course and thwarting our advancement. If we know our destination it is hard to stay lost forever. Even a GPS needs a destination otherwise it can only tell your present location. What’s your destination?
Upcoming events:
Today, the Brethren Retirement Community holds its annual Bake Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Brick Room.
Saturday, Piqua Baptist Church (1402 W. High St.) presents Tommy Renfro in concert at 7 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door for $12.
Also on Saturday, the Ansonia First Church of God (750 S. Main St.) holds its annual Family Outdoor Fun Day from noon – 4 p.m. For more information contact the church office at 337-3945.
Sunday, St. Paul Lutheran Church, North Star will hold their annual Quarter Auction in the Fellowship Hall (13495 Greenville-St. Marys Road). Doors open at 1:30 and the event begins at 2 p.m.
Sunday, Trinity Lutheran Church has its annual open to the public Hog Roast from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Advanced tickets may be ordered by calling the office at 526-3091.
Happy 96th birthday to Cyril Frantz, also birthday wishes to Benita Jenkinson, Carol Frey, Oliver Brunswick, Michelle Fortkamp, Dawn Petitjean, Karen Platfoot, Savannah Maxwell, Charlie Hartzell, Jessica Smith, Vivian Huwer, Betty Pothast, Vickie Barhorst, Jennifer Mertz, Amy Rismiller, Chloe and Grace Francis, Leah Schmitmeyer, Jean Magoto, Sharon Wheeler, Linda Grisez, Alex Boerger, Lynn Gerling, Elijah Miller, Natalie Hite, Sarah Rhoads, Mary (Leggs) Francis, Orville Borchers, Jacob Grow, Christina Bowersock, Leigh Fletcher, Matt Mangen, Wyatt Murphy, Roger Bey, Julie Strait, Scott Langston, Bill Pohlman, Elaine Marshall, Scott Mumaw, Mike Fourman, Jody Curtis, Elaine Peck, Jim Surber, Bill Rindler, Anne Cox, Connie Harshbarger, and Kristina Stout as their birthdays approach as well as, anniversary wishes to Kat and Jeff Unger (7), Netti and John Worden, Barbara and Tom Sanderson (20), Angie and Dr. Steve Ruhenkamp (22), Carla and Mike Drees (25), Julie and Kevin Didier (26), Jenny and Tom Crandall (26), Kathy and Carl Bensman (26), Cindy and Jeff Langston (28), Deb and Les Ward (28), Doris and Bob Goubeaux (35), Carol and Mike Williams (41), Mary Lou and Jim Nerderman (45), Linda and Pastor Wilson (46), Rosie and Dean Derr, Alma and Louis May (50), Norma and Lester Monnin (51), and Joann and Jerry Wilker (56).
Healing prayers and get well wishes to Lisa Coate, Ernie DeMange, Dave Gibson, Boots Breaden, Robert Longenecker, Karen Coverstone, Rita Wuebker, Terry Black, Bill Pepiot, Yvonne Ridenour, Wayne Pittsenbarger, John Klipstine, Maggie Brewer, Arthur Curtis, Michelle Ullom, Harold Langston, Sr., Jack Munn, Thelma Schultz, Delores Williams, Joe Bailey, James Youngker, Kyle Rutschilling, Isabella Yakos, Brian Voisard Barb and Jon Agne, Samantha Smith and all those dealing with life’s challenges, as well the hospitalized or homebound in need of our prayers but not mentioned by name.
Sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Mary Ruth Lewis, Joe Slonkosky, Agnes Heintz, Samuel Wuebker, Rachel Jones also remembering the lives of Patricia DeMange, Cindra Fleenor, Emily Timmerman, Bryan Schlater, Patrick Grieshop, Cory Michael, Stacy Mortensen, Gary Shafer, Tom Foley, John P. Simons, Tom Meiring, Scott Shappie, Ruth Goubeaux, Pat Perin, James Weber and all those not mentioned by name as the anniversary of their recently passing.
If you get the AARP magazine, consider reading the article entitled “10 Mysteries of the Human Body Explained,” written by Julie Stewart in the August/September issue. I found it informative of bodily functions (or malfunctions) that no one discusses in polite conversation.
“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope. ~Jeremiah 29:11
“Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue.” ~Buddha
“Aim at heaven and you will get earth ‘thrown in’: aim at earth and you will get neither.” ~C.S. Lewis
