Our Snowshoeing Adventure
My husband, Doug, and I love to go snowshoeing. You might say that we have a passion for it. Now, you need to know that my husband and I don’t exactly perceive things quite the same way. While he’s thinking adventure and “no pain, no gain,” I’m thinking “pain, pain, and more pain.” You see, I’m kind of a wimp.
We usually go somewhere to snowshoe where there is a lot of snow. (Duh! Having snow is very important in order to snowshoe). We prepare for our excursion by putting on our cute little long-johns. One year I finally talked Doug into buying some new ones. If you can believe this, the ones he had been wearing were truly vintage, in that they were all one piece with a drop seat in the back. We then pack up our car with everything that we will need for a day in the snow.
When we get to our destination, Doug jumps out of the car, looks around, and says, “Perfect, just perfect, not a cloud in the sky.” Then he says, “Okay, our plan is to make it to the top of that hill and have our picnic under that pine tree.”
Even though he knows that I love these outings, he also knows that I have my doubts about my own potential to actually climb a mountain. He says hill; I say mountain. So as if he can read my mind, he starts with… “Now, don’t panic, Gena. I promise, you can make it. This is his effort to get me all pumped up. Whining is not allowed, but I have found that prayer usually helps at this point.
Now that we have a plan it is time to get outfitted and get the show on the road. We grab our lunches and get out the shoes and the poles. We put on our snow pants and jackets, gloves, scarves, and mittens. And after we pull our hood over our heads, we look like a cross between the Pillsbury Dough Boy and the Michelin Man. Cute huh? (Hopefully, I’m not discouraging you about snowshoeing. Truthfully, I love being out in the freezing cold, panting and perspiring in my cute little Michelin outfit…That’s a joke, obviously.)
We then look out over the pristine blanket of snow and mentally plot our path to the top. Doug takes the lead. He’s the trailblazer, and truly between the two of us, he’s the only one with the power to plow through 2 feet of snow. (No joke, 2 feet. That’s like up to your knees, girlfriends.)
After a few years of doing this, I’ve learned that it is important to step right into Doug’s tracks, and to coordinate my poles with my big feet so that I don’t fall flat on my face. (Did I forget to mention that the word “Coordinate” is nowhere in my vocabulary? I’m one of those who can’t chew gum and walk at the same time. Someone should put a sign on my back that says “Stay back, dangerous load.) I’m truly pitiful, but not Doug, I think he is part man and part mountain goat. Actually, there may be a little wolf mixed in there. I ask him all the time, “Were you raised by wolves,” but that’s another story.
Doug will stop every now and then and look back just to check on me, probably thinking that he may need to wait for me to catch up, but sometimes I surprise even myself, because when he does turn around he is shocked to see me right there. But hey, I am woman; watch me roar. Right?
In spite of the cold and the extra weight that you are carrying, you eventually get into the groove and set an easy pace for walking. Even though I see the signs and tracks of many small creatures and their predators in the snow, I’m at peace in the wonder of it all and know that I have someone there to guide and protect me. But I tell you girls, man or no man, if I see a bear, I’m outta’ there!
When we finally get to our destination, (remember that pine tree that was like 50 miles away?) we sit down and partake of our meager provisions. Hot chocolate, Yum! We look down and notice how our trek in the snow has broken up that pristine picture of unspoiled purity and is now hidden due to a light shower of snow. But I’m not worried; I’m in good hands. You see, I trust that my wonderful husband, the Trailblazer, the one who guided me up to this mountaintop will lead me safely home. We are overwhelmed by it all. God’s presence is so evident to us. We have found a prize, which was actually the journey itself. Whoa! Now wasn’t that profound? Now… the only problem we have now is how to get me back up. That will not be pretty.
Over the years, I have learned a few things about our heavenly Trailblazer. I am blessed because of his grace, and I can have complete confidence in him. He loves me passionately and encourages my heart in so many ways. He is always faithful and gives me peace. He renews my strength when I get weary. He guides me toward the prize and makes my way perfect. He plans my steps and lights the way back home. In good times or bad, his grace is sufficient for me. I am strong in his mighty power.
From “Her Treasures: A Life Brand New” page 70…Your words are sweet to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth. I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore, I hate every wrong path. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (Ps. 119:103-105). In my heart, I may plan my course, but you determine my steps (Pr.16:9). In the day of trouble, I will call to you, for you will answer me (Ps. 86:7). You will never leave me or forsake me (Heb. 13:5). I will trust in you with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding, in all my ways I will acknowledge you, and you will make my paths straight (Pr. 3:5-6).
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