K

Our family spent the weekend camping at one of our favorite state parks filled with trails, waterfalls and swimming holes. Of course, our little ones were very excited to take a trip to one of those swimming holes just below the dam. This park is a place where we have visited many times before, but this year the surge in rain had my Mama heart on edge as the water moved more swiftly and the once dry rock walkways were covered ankle deep. I wanted my children to be able to share this experience together, but as I watched my feet take every step when navigating down to the water, I realized I was missing out on their wonderment.

My almost four-year-old was discovering this place for the very first time with eyes wide open to all the little waterfalls around him and the noise as it pooled around him, but my eyes were focused on the ground. The dry rock bed that provided a somewhat easier path to the destination was now covered in slippery moss and sludge – a challenging route that caused more concern than normal. I knew that if I slipped and fell then the whole trip would be a waste because only by the grace of God would my husband be able to hobble me back up that steep climb. With every step I thought about the possibility of ruining this experience for my family – the conceivable injury itself wasn’t even the main concern.

How many times have you been so afraid to fall (or disappoint others) that you missed out on the simple joys of life? Friends, our paths are not always going to be easy, and this little trip was a reminder to me to “look up”. My feet may feel shaky and the water may rise, but God always provides a steady hand if we are willing to lift our eyes. We often forfeit the beauty of life by always speaking negatively, allowing others and things to steal our peace, using our pain as an excuse for the behavior, staying focused on the problem instead of the solution and allowing the enemy to cause fear that stops us from seeking Jesus in moments of uncertainty.

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.” Psalm 121:1-3. Life can be a slippery slope of ups and downs, but if you rest in God then He will not allow for our spiritual body to be moved. He is our stability and strength and His attentive and watchful eye is a constant and unwavering protection in the lives of believers. If you have some slippery pathways in your life right now due to the inevitable storms, those that keep your focus downcast, please know that God is whispering for you to simply look up. The storms will come, the rain will fall and the rocks (people, co-workers, friends) you once knew may begin to seem a little unsteady. It is time that you throw out your “Slippery When Wet” sign as a reminder to yourself that even though you may be walking slow, you are walking with intention and a gaze ahead to the beauty that God has in store.

Don’t miss the moments, friends. My little boy sat on the edge of a big old rock as I watched his sweet smile and although hesitant to enter the cold water, he knew that as long as he was next to his Mama he was safe. I too was safe. You are safe in the presence of Jesus – take your eyes off the rigid and shifty things of the world and walk, stand, sit, run, skip or crawl next to Him.

“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in Him will I trust: He is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my Saviour; thou savest me from violence.” 2 Samuel 22:2-3.

Blessings,

Kayla