In Search of a Shorter route

Looking for quicker and shorter ways of doing things seems to be one of the most remarkable things about this our generation.
I recently learnt a lesson which made stop to think....

While on my way home from work via a familiar route, i decided to try a route i assumed would be shorter for the following reasons;

• The familiar route involved ascending a hill (energy sapping)
  
• I saw a road down the slope ahead of me and thought it to be ''a short cut''
• I sincerely wanted to try a different route 'something new'

So, after a brief contemplation at a crossroad, i headed towards this unknown route! I did not realize what i had gotten myself into until i had wandered without finding a link to my initial route for almost 1 hr 15 minutes for a journey that should not have taken more than 15-20 minutes maximum! ( so much for a short cut ) in fact, i got to a point where i could no longer go further! Everyone i asked told me i way way off my route . . .i just could not believe how an innocent experiment could turn out a nightmare!
I paused and said a brief prayers under my breath...it was no longer a joke! suddenly, i ran into someone i knew! Heaving a sigh of relief, i knew it was an answer to my prayers, not only did this person direct me to the right path, she also ensured i got home safe! Needless to say i arrived home late and exhausted!

Later that night i thought over what happened and came up with a few lessons;

• Theres is no short cut in life!
  
• A long familiar route plus knowledge is better than a 'seemingly' shorter route plus ignorance!
• Knowledge preserves!
  
• During the ''ups'' and ''downs'' of life God is always near!