Mile Markers and Life Lessons: Why Progress Isn’t Always Meant to Be Measured

Tracy Astle
Oct 14
3 min read

A few weeks ago, I was on a road trip with my husband, crossing state after state on a long stretch of highway. If you’ve ever done a cross-country drive, you know the rhythm: gas stations, roadside diners, changing landscapes—and of course, the mile markers.

Every few minutes, another sign popped up along the road: Mile 277. Mile 278. Mile 279.

Somewhere along the drive, I had a thought:

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if life had mile markers, too?

Imagine how encouraging it would be during a personal challenge, building a business, or working through personal growth if there were signs along the way saying:

You’re one-third of the way through this challenge.
Only 10 more “miles” to go before you reach your goal.
Look at how far you’ve already come—keep going!

How much easier it would be to hang on, persevere, and stay encouraged if we had a clear indicator of progress.

But life doesn’t work that way.

And maybe that’s the point.

The Hidden Gift of Not Knowing “How Far”

As much as we crave certainty, the absence of visible mile markers teaches us some powerful lessons:

1. We Learn to Walk by Faith, Not Sight

If we always knew exactly how close we were to a breakthrough, we’d lean on our own strength and timing. Without markers, we’re invited to lean on faith—to trust God’s timing and His guidance. Faith grows in the unknown.

2. We Build Resilience in the Process

When there’s no sign telling us “only 2 miles to go,” we’re forced to develop perseverance. We learn to keep moving forward, even when progress isn’t obvious. That resilience becomes part of our character, shaping us in ways mile markers never could.

3. We Celebrate Progress in Hindsight

Think about challenges you’ve already overcome. At the time, you didn’t know how far you’d come—or how much was left. But looking back, you can now see just how much strength, courage, and growth came from that season. Without mile markers, we’re often surprised by our own strength when we finally arrive.

4. We Stay Present in the Journey

If life handed us a roadmap with exact distances, many of us would obsess about “how much farther” rather than noticing the scenery around us. The absence of markers nudges us into the present moment, teaching us to find joy and gratitude here and now.

Mile Markers Are Coming… Just Not Yet

The truth is, mile markers do exist—but we usually see them after we’ve passed them. They show up in reflection, in hindsight, in journaling, or in the stories we tell about what we’ve endured and achieved.

And maybe that’s exactly how it’s supposed to be.

If we always knew how long the challenge would last or how many more steps were left in our growth journey, we might miss the deeper lessons: patience, trust, resilience, and hope.

But here’s one thing that makes the absence of mile markers easier: traveling with others.

On that road trip with my husband, the miles seemed lighter because I wasn’t traveling alone. In life, too, when we surround ourselves with supportive friends, mentors, and faith-filled community, the uncertainty becomes more bearable. Companionship doesn’t eliminate the unknown—but it makes the journey richer, more hopeful, and more joyful.

A New Way to Journey Together

That’s one reason I’m so excited to share something new: later this month I’ll be launching a podcast with my dear friends Lois Zehr and Lisa Bower called Wisdom from the Well: Faith-Filled Conversations to Inspire and Connect.

It’s designed to feel like you’re sitting with friends around a table—sharing encouragement, wisdom, and stories that remind you you’re not traveling this road alone.

So as we all keep moving forward without mile markers, I hope you’ll join us there for honest, uplifting conversations that make the journey lighter.

✅ Key Takeaway: Life doesn’t come with mile markers, but you don’t have to travel alone. With faith and friends, the road is always easier.

I’d love to hear: Where in your life right now do you wish you had mile markers? Drop a comment below and let’s encourage one another on the journey. And stay tuned—soon I’ll be sharing the very first episode of Wisdom from the Well.

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If you’d like to learn more about this topic, click HERE to book a chat with me, or follow me on Facebook @Nourishing Body & Soul or on Instagram @tlastle.nourishingbodyandsoul