When we got there, Matt had plans to hike several mountains including Mt Elbert, Colorado's tallest mountain. But on Day 1 of the trip, Matt had the great idea of just him and I taking a day to the mountains. His mom was also traveling with us, so there was extra help to watch the kids, and we could have a real date. When he first mentioned it, I laughed, not thinking he was serious. But it didn't take long to convince me that his idea sounded amazing, and better then any dinner date or fancy outing.
When I started to think back, our last "date" was right before COVID hit...March 7th...our anniversary. We had planned this weekend well in advance to stay at the Gaylord for one night and divide the kids up amongst family and friends. It would be our first night away from Charli (she had been home 19 months). We were so excited to have a 24 hour local get-a-way. Well, about 10 days before this, I found out that I had 2 orange size masses that were growing on my left ovary. What started out as a quick doctor's visit, quickly escalated into a surgery the following week to remove the masses and possibly ovary. The surgery was 2 days before our "date". Luckily, this was a day surgery, and I was able to go home and sleep in my own bed. We debated cancelling our date, considering I was going to be very sore, not walking very quickly and the looming biopsy results would not be back yet. But, in sickness and in health, we choose to still go, and celebrated our anniversary in bed, watching a movie, ordering room service and tried to just enjoy the quiet time together, regardless of what that week brought, or what diagnosis may be in the near future. We had a wonderful time, though it was definitely not what we had originally planned. And for the good news...a few days later we got a call that caused a sigh of relief...benign. NO cancer. Praise the Lord!
"Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
So, back to Colorado. We were getting our next chance at a "date"...and the mountains were calling our name! We arrived at the base of the mountain around 7:30 am and it was supposed to be a 2.5 mile hike up and down (5 miles total). We had been warned by someone who had already hiked this mountain that there was a large boulder section that was quite tough. No biggie we thought. We had no kids with us, so surely we could do it. Matt packed his backpack full of water and snacks and off we went. I'll admit, I actually brought my headphones. I wanted to just listen to praise and worship music simultaneously as we hiked, sort of my calming yet motivating music for my soul. Maybe a mile or two in, we passed through a small boulder section. We thought that was the "boulder section". Ha. We had NO idea what was ahead. I was starting to feel a little tired, but surely we had to be getting close to the top. Then, as we started to near the tree line...we saw what looked like a never ending tower of rocks/boulders with no end in sight. Hmm...should we turn around??
I remember telling Matt, I am really glad I did NOT know what actually was ahead and waiting for us. If I would have known, that I would have to climb THAT, I would have jumped ship before it even sailed. No way.
Now isn't that how God protects us sometimes?...by not letting us see the giant mountain that awaits us. Because if we KNEW the mountain that was ahead...would we walk that way? Or would we coward in fear and make excuses for why we can't do something?
"I will walk by faith even when I cannot see." 2 Corinthians 5:7
Doesn't he sometimes know, that it is for our good, to merely trust Him, and to follow Him, into a point where you are now so far in, that turning around is not an option.
Matt quickly learned, that we had to follow the cairns. These were small little stacks of rocks that would guide us up the larger rocks. There wasn't really a path. There was just rocks. But someone, had gone before us, and placed these cairns as markers to follow...to lead us through stable rocks, to keep our feet from hitting the smaller weaker rocks.
Again, I saw the Lord in this. Isn't that the reality of our lives sometimes. The reality that we often can't see a path. But the Lord has gone before us, and paved the way...guiding our steps.
"Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord will go before you. He will be with you. He will never fail or abandon you." Deuteronomy 31:8
The scary part about these boulders, is you truly couldn't see where the end was. I remember being about an hour into the boulders and some people were turning around. I remember thinking...if only I knew when this would end. But when I tried to look up the mountain, I just got scared and overwhelmed. It was too much. All I saw were boulders...there was no end in sight.
Again..the Lord speaks. How often do we cry out...if only I knew when this would end...if only I could see what lies ahead. But when we try to look up and ahead we strain and blind our eyes to the step that lies in front of us. The Lord does not call us to see the end goal...no He calls us to follow Him, one step at a time.
So cairn after cairn...we climbed. Each one was one step closer. We weren't sure where the summit was, but as long as we followed each cairn...we would make it there. I stopped and told Matt, "I feel like this is exactly where I am at." Living in a world of unknowns, not seeing an end in sight, not even seeing the path...but having to focus on the cairn in front of me...not the endless boulders that lie ahead.
Aside from the obvious COVID situation that is causing our entire world to be living in day after day of unknown...we have also been walking through some very personal other situations this past year, that once again, seem like an endless mountain...with no path...just boulders. But oh how my heart was lifted, when He reminded me, that through all of this, He walks before me. I need not worry what lie ahead, or when we will reach the finish line, or even what the finish line looks like...just forge ahead, one cairn at a time.
As we got closer to the top, we started to pass people who had already summitted and were on their way back down. We would stop person after person, how close are we to the top?? Are we almost there? There was such a beautiful encouragement from those coming back down. An encouragement, that we would get there, and it would be beautiful.
"I lift my eyes to the mountains, where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth." Psalm 121:1-2
Again...the Lord speaks. Who are those people in your life? Those who have walked beside you, or even ahead of you, to tell you it's going to be OK. To encourage you, that even though you can't see over this boulder, there is beauty on the other side.
Finally, several hours into our hike (which was WAY longer then the predicted 2.5 miles up)...we reached the summit. I looked down in awe that somehow we made it up without breaking any bones! Seriously though...it was pretty amazing/frightening to look down.
As we looked all around us, the beauty that filled the sky, I couldn't help but notice all the other mountains. This was just one mountain, among many others. They surrounded us.
And so we would begin our journey down...slippery...and still needing to follow one cairn after another to get back down. But the hundreds of mountains still surrounded us. Each one a little different I am sure, each one with it's own purpose and beauty. So even though we may have reached the peak of this one...we are promised more.
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you, as something strange were happening to you. But rejoice as you share in Christ's suffering, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4: 12-13
I am glad I don't know what all lies ahead and the mountains we will face. I don't know how many more mountains we will climb in this world until we are done. But one thing I do know...our work on this side of heaven is not done. No mountain, or valley, or summit, or plain will lead us to the point where we should say " I am finished, my work here is complete". No, there are mountains to climb, cairns to follow, with one final summit in sight...our heavenly home. So, until He calls me home, may I remember to keep my eyes on Him (the cairn) in front of me, and may I never fear the next mountain.
" I press on the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14"
