I have the privilege of living by the Indiana Dunes. My family and I go to the dunes often to hike the trails, skip stones in Lake Michigan, watch the sun set over the Windy City. But we rarely will climb the sand hills.
We celebrated Father's Day, our first without Dad, at the Dunes yesterday. We laid out our blankets and beach towels right by a big sand hill. We ate, skipped rocks, attempted to walk in the water, but the water was way too cold! I looked at the sand hill and had the urge to climb it. I asked if anyone wanted to climb the hill with me. No one jumped at my request. Finally my brother said he would, and then my husband, and finally my daughter caved in! Off we went!
We started climbing, and I thought, "This isn't so bad." That thought changed quickly! My thighs started to burn, breathing became a chore. Each step was pure torture. I had to stop and rest. My niece was cheering me on from the bottom of the hill, "You can do it, Sha!" I took a few more painful steps. I still had about a quarter of the way to go. My climbing buddies had reached the top. I was determined to finish. As I was looking down, I saw footprints. I started walking in the footprints of those who had finished before me. I could not believe how much easier it was to finish that way. I was no longer taking one step and sliding back two! My steps were sure. I made it to the top and was ready to hike some more!
As I stood at the top, I began to think about the struggles of life. There have been times along this journey that the mountain has been steep. There have been times when I tried to climb the mountain on my own. There have been times I have felt like giving up. But I have learned to walk in the footsteps of my Savior, and I have found that His steps are always the right stride, and make climbing easier. His steps may lead me through rough terrain, up steep mountains, through the river, through the fire. But as long as I place my steps in His footprint, I know I will make it, and become more like Him in the process.
And the view from the top is priceless!
My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside. Job 23:11.
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way. Psalm 37:23
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