At seven o'clock this morning I was busy working on a school project. I expected a banal day. Nothing was planned in my schedule. Soon I would stop to eat breakfast. But then, suddenly a change of plans occured! I overheard a conversation in the next room. By commiting the peccadillo of eavesdropping, I learned that my parents were going to go for a pleasant hike at Pine Lake. They soon were inviting my siblings and me to come along! Without missing a beat, I was ready to go. I jumped into the van with my two siblings who were also up for the adventure, and before long we were on our way.
The temperature was around 20 degrees. It didn't take long for me to notice that it was incredibly slippery. We had a rain storm yesterday, and now all the water had frozen into a beautiful ice skating rink.
At first our hike was pretty fun. Soon, though, we found ourselves going through thorn bushes, and slipping and sliding up and down prodigious hills. There were really no trails through this part of the woods, and the ice on the ground seemed ubiquitous. More than once I found myself fallen in a supine position. Before long, I was feeling lugubrious. I was sure there were some benefits of going through this all, but at the time, the benefits, if any, were infinitesimal to me. We crossed through swamps (all my family escaped getting wet in the ice water--except me), and we even crossed a good size creek, by climbing over a fallen tree. It was an adventure, to say the least. My family thought it was thrilling; I had slightly heterodox views, however. I like hiking, but the incessant ice made things tough. I was glad to return home, and finally eat my breakfast--even if it was more like lunch by then! I was glad for the adventure with my dear family, though! And I learned a few lessons.
The temperature was around 20 degrees. It didn't take long for me to notice that it was incredibly slippery. We had a rain storm yesterday, and now all the water had frozen into a beautiful ice skating rink.
At first our hike was pretty fun. Soon, though, we found ourselves going through thorn bushes, and slipping and sliding up and down prodigious hills. There were really no trails through this part of the woods, and the ice on the ground seemed ubiquitous. More than once I found myself fallen in a supine position. Before long, I was feeling lugubrious. I was sure there were some benefits of going through this all, but at the time, the benefits, if any, were infinitesimal to me. We crossed through swamps (all my family escaped getting wet in the ice water--except me), and we even crossed a good size creek, by climbing over a fallen tree. It was an adventure, to say the least. My family thought it was thrilling; I had slightly heterodox views, however. I like hiking, but the incessant ice made things tough. I was glad to return home, and finally eat my breakfast--even if it was more like lunch by then! I was glad for the adventure with my dear family, though! And I learned a few lessons.
When treking through the treacherous thorn-filled swamp lands, it was important to watch the person in front of me. If they ran into a sticker bush or broke through the ice, I would know to take a different route. If they made it through easily, I would know I should follow them.
In our lives also, we can learn from the mistakes and successes others have had, while walking life's road before us. We may have several role models in our lives--our parents, older friends, grandparents, great people in history, or others. But there is only One, whom we can follow, knowing He never made any mistakes. That One is Jesus. First Peter 2:21 says, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:" In the story in John 13, after Jesus washed his disciples feet, He said, "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." We can always follow Jesus, knowing He is the One we can always depend on--no matter what. He sees the whole picture of things. If we only will place our hand in His, He will lead us through life's swamps, and bring us in the end to a wonderful--a much better place--called heaven!
In our lives also, we can learn from the mistakes and successes others have had, while walking life's road before us. We may have several role models in our lives--our parents, older friends, grandparents, great people in history, or others. But there is only One, whom we can follow, knowing He never made any mistakes. That One is Jesus. First Peter 2:21 says, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:" In the story in John 13, after Jesus washed his disciples feet, He said, "For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you." We can always follow Jesus, knowing He is the One we can always depend on--no matter what. He sees the whole picture of things. If we only will place our hand in His, He will lead us through life's swamps, and bring us in the end to a wonderful--a much better place--called heaven!
Pictures are courtesy of my dear sister Bethany! ( todaylibertyordeath.blogspot.com )