Hike of Life

This past month I have discovered a new love of mine, hiking. My family embarked on a week long adventure in the mountains of North Carolina. This was one of the most freeing weeks, separated from technology and a/c, I was really able to take a glimpse of what life unconsumed with the pressures of social media and focusing on myself led to. I found a freedom in rest.

One of the first few days we wanted to get out of the cabin and into the woods. We went waterfall seeking and over the course of the first five mile hike we got to see three stunning waterfalls. After a quick bite for lunch, we were told about another five and a half mile hike that halfway through brought you to a rock ledge on the top of a mountain. The family was all in and we embarked on our second hike of the day.

I don’t know if you have ever attempted hiking before but there’s a point when you’ve been hiking straight up for two miles that you begin to question if it’s all worth it. You feel sore everywhere and you physically are struggling to catch your breath. Another half mile and we would have made it to the top. I was a hot mess and I am sure I looked and probably smelt pretty crazy. The gentleman that told us about the hike recommended we take the third spur once we got to the top to see the best view. After hiking down two spurs that led to nothing we finally found one that led to one of the most breathtaking views I have ever experienced.

I want to encourage you…

the one who doesn’t think life is going to get better.

the one who has lost hope.

the one who feels alone.

the one who doesn’t think they can do it.

The climb is what makes the view even more stunning.

If I had ridden a car up to the top and stood on that rock I wouldn’t have appreciated the view quite as much. The hike in between being on the bottom and getting to the top of the mountain was what made it all worth it.

I want you to know that the journey isn’t easy. It actually sucks sometimes and I have wondered if it’s even

Even the best stories have to come to an end.jpg I'm gonna miss our North Carolina adventures.jpg Until next time

The feeling of being on top of a mountain as the wind whips by you.jpge feeling of hiking over a running creek jumping from rock to rock

One hike wasn't enough for today so we threw in another 5

We climbed a mountain, hiked almost 5 miles, and visited three different waterfalls (High Falls, Triple Falls, and Hooker Falls)

worth the hassle. From someone who has turned away, there is no true fulfillment outside of what God provides. The journey is constant but just like hiking up the mountain, we get small glimpses of what awaits. We peer out through the trees and can see the mountain tops and it pushes us to hike further and faster to see the view.

Life is like a hike. It’s messy and if you’re like me you are going to slip and fall into some mud, but you will get to see glimpses of the wonderful expanse that lies ahead. You will see God in the little things, like the swaying trees or the steady brook. The magnitude of his creation is all around us and his mighty love is within us so there is no need to stress in the bumps in the road. We already know our destination and in the end it all will be worth it.

Psalm 65 : 5 – 8

“By awesome deeds you answer us with righteousness, O God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas; the one who by his strength established the mountains, being girded with might; who stills the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, the tumult of the peoples, so that those who dwell at the ends of the earth are in awe at your signs. You make the going out of the morning and the evening to shout for joy.”

#adventure #hike #travel #explore #nature #active #healthy #lifestyle #outside