My honeymoon trip July of 1977 consisted of a 45-mile backpacking adventure in the upper peninsula on Isle Royale. Bruce had me in training by placing a heavy-laden backpack on my thin frame and walking in my newly purchased hiking boots for several miles a day prior to our wedding. I accomplished this Isle Royale adventure with gusto and a few needed foot patches for my hurting feet. "Let the adventures begin" was my motto.
Five years later, we headed off to Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii for a five week vacation. Our longest time was spent in New Zealand where Bruce showed me all the places he had lived and the mountains he had hiked. Needless to say - I was impressed.
We chose the Routeburn Track to hike. Bruce had expressed an eagerness to hike this again. I was in good shape to carry a backpack, climb over rocks and scale the mountain heights, looking forward to stretching myself with another challenge. We hiked in the most beautiful places imaginable. From high peaks to the valley of the rain forest. Our adventurous spirit was handed down to our girls, and as a family, we hiked many trails in the U.S. and British Columbia.
Haylee's first hike was in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee at age 7. We strapped on our backpacks with snacks in tow and off we went on our family adventure. Bruce had chosen a beginners hike, where the grade of steepness didn't fluctuate severely. Of course, before this hike, she too had some little hikes to accomplish right here in Michigan. Kelly was a pro at this time having had her first mountain hike with dad two years prior in Maine.
Not too far along the trail, Haylee began to complain of being tired and stopped way too much for my task-oriented personality. "Haylee, we need to reach our destination", having given her a time frame. What 7-year-old cares about a time frame when she is tired? Get a clue mom.
Sighing with a bit of frustration but not wanting to put any expectations or pressure on my little hiker, I prayed a simple, silent prayer: "Father, you know we need to get to the top at a decent time so we can get down before any weather change. Please help me here. I need to inspire Haylee to move forward. I'm out of ideas."
Immediately, I had an inspiration to give Haylee small destinations to complete. "Okay Haylee, I cheerfully said, "see that big tree ahead, just up the hill?" She reluctantly nodded her head. "Let's walk to that tree and see who can touch the tree trunk first. The first one to touch it can pick out a snack from our backpacks". With that encouragement and knowing a snack was involved, off she went like a trooper.....and yes, we did reach the top at the appropriate time.
Isn't God this way with us as Christ followers? He has sent the Holy Spirit to come along beside us in this great adventure called life, as Bruce did for me and I did for Haylee.
God is with us - urging us to press on, telling us we can make it, inspiring us to take steps forward that lead us towards our destination, saying to us "you're almost there - don't give up."
Whether you're in training, just beginning or an experienced "hiker" up the mountains of life, remember that you are not alone. Our Guide is with us.
Think on this
For this God is our God for ever and ever. He will be our guide even to the end. Psalm 48:24 NIV
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