When it Feels Like a Lost Cause

"It's a lost cause," I thought to myself as I looked out the window. Having been neglected for two years, my once beautiful vegetable garden was now a tangled mess of ankle-deep grasses, weeds, and thorns. Every time I looked at it, all I could see was my...

Reaching the Peak

The trail began as a flat dirt path surrounded by green grass, wide enough to walk beside a friend. Gradually it shifted. Rocks replaced dirt and the grass disappeared as the trail narrowed and pushed deeper into the woods, steeper with each step.  Stepping over logs and clinging...

Empty Promises

After a long day of hiking, our canteens were empty and our bodies yearned for rest and replenishment. We passed a sign on the path labeled "Spring" with an arrow pointing to a spur trail through the woods. Water from a cold, clean mountain spring was just the...

Climbing Mountains

The rain began pattering our tent before the sun came up. Yesterday, we hiked a few miles up a steep trail and were blessed with a beautiful view of the valley from the mountain peak. The mid-July weather had been perfect--sunny, not too hot, not too...

Challenge or Blessing? You Decide

"What is your favorite part of this weekend?" My cousin asked as she leaned across the table with a smile.  "Having everyone under the same roof," I said confidently. It had been a year since we had all been together.  "What is the hardest part of the...

An Interrupted Walk

A brisk walk in the morning takes me down the same beaten path. The faster I walk the faster I can get out of the heat and on to the real business of the day. Only five more minutes. Only a quarter of a mile left....

Step into L.I.FE.: Why Walk When You Can Run

We've been talking this month about walking with Jesus and how being intentional with our time and thoughts during the day can help us see the world through His eyes. Or how on days when we just don't feel like it, He beckons us to walk...

Clearing the Clutter

I love watching the home decorating shows on TV. The designer takes something that was once outdated, unused, or forgotten and transforms it into something new, beautiful, and inspiring. Most often the transformation is something the homeowner would have never imagined. While the end product always...