One
spring afternoon, my husband and I, along with my brother and some of our
children decided to climb Rattlesnake Ridge just outside of Northbend , Washington Seattle
area. The rain subsides for a time and
the pure blue of the sky, the sunlight bouncing off the gleaming peaks of the Cascade Mountains , and the crisp, fresh air fills my
soul with joy and I feel like flying.
Hence, the trip to the base of the mountain......
Walking
around the still waters of Rattlesnake
Lake
I
watched their youthful exuberance and energy and longed for the days when I
could run up the mountain and jump from rock to rock - graceful and free. But, at the time, I was close to 50 years old
and my days of running with reckless abandon were long past. I really was very content to go a little
slower and savor the experience.
Eventually, I too would reach the top, at least I hoped. Pretty soon though, John was pulling me up
and over the really hard parts and I was realizing that my joyful expectations
of an easy, fun filled day would probably not happen.
Finally,
I had to stop. There was no more
choice. We were only a little over half
way up and this old, overweight, out of shape body had absolutely no more oomph
left. I collapsed on a rock and waited
for breath to resume a normal even pace.
To my chagrin, John was still breathing slow and easy even though he had
all but carried me over the last part of the path!
While
we sat there, we exchanged pleasantries with people as they passed by. Over and over again they gave the same
message...."The view is incredible!
Very beautiful! Don't stop
now. The view at the top is worth it!
Don't miss out!"
"Okay,
okay” I replied, "Just give me a few minutes."
Another
group of four came by with the same message.
As the last person walked past me though, she leaned over and whispered
in my ear, "Don't listen to them.
You're just about to reach the toughest part. There is a muddy area around the next turn
and it begins to get really, really steep!
There is still a long way to go and the worst is yet to
come!!!!!!!" Finally, a truthful
person who could reinforce my fatalistic thoughts!
I
began to prepare to go back to the car.
But, John refused to leave me. If
I was determined to turn around, then he would too. Guilt swept over me. I knew that hiking to
the top of mountains was one of his favorite pastimes and I knew that even
though he was being gracious and kind to me, he would be disappointed.
I
couldn't stand that thought. So......we
started off again. Sure enough, for me,
the trail became a horrible experience.
Breathless, my heart thumped so loud and hard that I believed it would
pound out of my chest and roll right down the hill. John remained faithful and encouraged rests
when I couldn't go any longer.
Other
trekkers were coming down at an increasing rate and their exclamations of
delight over the view at the top became an inspiration to me at a time when I
sorely needed it. The trail was never
ending and just kept getting worse.
Finally,
we turned a corner and there, through a crack between two large boulders, was
my first glimpse of Mt.
Si Mt. Baker to
the North and Mt.
Rainier
Joyful
grins adorned our faces as we greeted Dan and the kids. The air was invigorating and I couldn't help
but agree wholeheartedly with the hiker's message - The view at the top was
wonderful and had been TRULY worth it!
In fact, many years later, if I close my eyes and imagine, I can still
feel the warmth of the sun and the whisper of the breeze as it touched my
cheek. I can hear the shouts of joy as
the kids discovered holes in the rocks and the expressions of awe as other
travelers also made their way to the top.
It was a great day that I could easily have missed.
As
I slowly, but contentedly, made my way down the mountain trail I thought about
the many times in my life when I have felt like giving up. Over the course of my life, I have had many
disappointments and been discouraged.
Sometimes I have been overcome with problems and been unable to
cope. But, before despair overwhelms me,
I usually receive, in some manner or form, encouragement and a "view
through the crack of the boulders" that gives me courage to continue. There I catch a glimpse of what heaven will
be like. For a brief instant, I am able
to catch sight of what I have to look forward to. It gives me hope to carry on.
Even
though the road we walk here on earth is hard at times and not always fair,
heaven is waiting and if I listen closely, I can hear the voices of those that
have gone before - "Don't give up, don't give in, keep walking the good
walk and fighting the good fight. Keep
your eyes focused on the goal and never ever take your eyes from it. The view is worth it! Heaven and being with the Lord of Life is
worth it all!!!!! Don't miss it!
“Therefore
we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay
aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with
endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and
finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of
God.”
Hebrews
12:1-2
"Now we see through the mirror dimly but
then we will see face to face. Now we
understand in part but then we shall understand fully."
1 Corinthians 13:1
Have a good day! Love, Sue
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