I consider myself one of the lucky ones to live in the Pacific NW. There are so many beautiful spots in my world. I especially love wandering among paths in the outdoors, among the green trees, with frequent glances at the shimmering river below the trail.

It clears my mind, helps me refocus on Who created our beautiful world. God.

I’ve been hiking now for more than twenty years. Those hikes began for a different reason than enjoying the beautiful outdoors. It was to save a marriage. Available trails only a short drive away with just the gas to get us to the trail head, my late husband, Bill and I started to hike because we did most everything in our lives separately. Our counselor called us “married singles”. We lived in the same household. We had children together. We ate meals together. Went to church together. It was a business-like, room-mate-sort-of-existence. And we each wanted more. Neither of us envisioned our marriage to be so separate when we took those rose colored vows twenty some years earlier.

So instead of Bill going off fishing with a buddy, or working on some project in the garage, we got up on Saturday mornings and explored our beautiful area. We hiked many places along the Columbia River Gorge. We didn’t talk much as we went up the trail, for we were focusing on our route as we pushed our way up several thousand feet. The first part of the hike was the most difficult. The path always starts up. There is no extra air for talking.

Bill was a tough guy and when the trail head had several route choices: “moderate”, “difficult”, or “more difficult”, he’d choose the “more difficult” one. I’d be perturbed when he chose the harder one, but I realized it was his competitive spirit. And I began to enjoy the difficulty. When we took a break with something to eat and drink, we were rewarded most of the time with a fantastic view.

After resting for a short time—not too long for we’d get stiff—we ate a power bar or some gorp (good old raisins and peanuts), we began our trudge back down the trail. Talking was possible now, for we weren’t pushing up anymore. Eventually, these hikes began to be our time together as we struggled up the trail, pushing ourselves beyond the normal limits. And finally, accomplishing what most people like to think about rather than do.

Our marriage began to improve, too. Bill convinced me to push myself w – a – y past what I might do on my own. I began to move more quickly up the trail with less effort, but remember, he chose “more difficult” so it still wasn’t easy. He convinced me to try rock climbing and we ventured up many mountain peaks, too. Those were things we did together and it made those mountains of difference in our relationship improve.

It is hard to believe Bill has been gone ten years now, but any time I hit the trail, I think of him and what he said:

  • Pace yourself.
  • Keep going, it hasn’t been an hour yet.
  • Watch your step.

That built endurance and helped me face much more difficult things than a rocky, upward trail among the trees.

Perhaps you’re facing something more difficult than a trail winding up a mountain. Is it a difficult marriage? Is your adult child wandering away from the faith you believed he’d keep? Is someone you love sick? Has the doctor told you something isn’t quite right and there are more tests to be done? Did your boss tell you that the company is making cut-backs and your job is in jeopardy? Perhaps people are saying things about you that are not true. Whatever the difficulty, I challenge you to give them to the Maker of the beautiful world we live in. He knows your difficulty. He’s right there with you. He loves you.

Today, I read a passage in the Bible about a woman—Simon Peter’s mother-in-law—who was very ill with a fever.

Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. They told Jesus about her right away. He went to her bedside and as he took her by the hand and helped her to sit up, the fever suddenly left, and she got up and prepared a meal for them.
Mark 1: 30-31

Jesus wasn’t afraid to get close to her or touch her. He could have healed her from a distance, but He didn’t. He took her hand and helped her up. He healed her.

Sometimes, there is nothing for the doctors to do and you have to watch helplessly as your loved one slips away into eternity. That happened to me more than once. I can assure you, though being in that situation was difficult—much more so than slogging up a steep mountain—I wasn’t alone. I often sensed His loving presence right next to me. He’s there for you, too. Give Him your trust. Ask Him to help you up your mountain.

Is everything great in your life right now? Then enjoy the good times. Take a hike. Or a walk in the neighborhood and enjoy the flowers and trees. Enjoy God’s creation. You’ll be glad you did.