Highs and Lows
If you have walked a few minutes on this planet, your path has taken a few twists and turns. Along rocky ledges, through dark valleys, into peaceful meadows. Such is life. You may wake up to sunshine on the mountain top and before the day ends you’re seeking shelter from a storm.
Our family recently vacationed in beautiful Colorado and experienced both sunburn and snow. We sweated up one trail on Thursday and shivered through sleet and snow down another on Sunday.
Life is both the highs and lows. It’s the flat and barren deserts, the blind curves, and the highest breathtaking peaks. It doesn’t have to be comfortable to be beautiful; and in fact, much of the beauty on the journey comes on the other side of steep climbs and long paths that leave us wondering if we will ever reach the end.
One of our hikes was not really planned. We had some extra time and wanted to take in some more Colorado scenery. “It will be fun!” they said. I was wearing Chacos and the trail turned into steep switchbacks of loose, dry gravel. Two sons quickly left us in the dust, while the others lagged behind. Eight miles that included one fight between brothers, a broken pair of glasses, and the worst foot and knee pain I have ever endured to see a waterfall that was far from impressive as far as waterfalls go.
I just remember trying to walk back as quickly as possible at dusk through a forest that seemed to go on forever, wondering if a bear would meet me around every turn. It was hard to see the trail markers and I found myself feeling afraid. My body ached, I was frustrated with my sons, and hungry (hangry).
Have you been there? On a difficult path? Maybe you’re there now, wondering if you will ever make it back to safety and comfort.
Keep walking.
Keep walking.
The hard path is making you stronger, braver, and teaching you something. It’s just one part of your journey.
Our children are young adults, some living across the country and some under our roof. I was chatting with one yesterday, asking for his perspective on parenting, of all things. When your kids are young, they think you have all the answers and then suddenly it seems you know nothing. My son encouraged me more than he realized- “Mom, the fact that we are all functioning at all is amazing. I don’t know how you’ve done it.”
Parenting is one of those paths that can feel rocky and dark at times. You stand in the middle of an unfamiliar forest, not knowing which way to walk. You truly don’t have answers at times and then you blame yourself for every blister, turned ankle, wrong turn, forgotten snack.
“You are doing the very best you can, Mom” says my son. We are all okay.
We talked about growing up - things that were good and things that were not so good. Some days were beautiful meadows, some were dark valleys. It was all part of a journey, the beginning of his journey but not the end.
If you’re a parent take a deep breath and know that you will take a wrong turn, forget some things, become exhausted, get frustrated, fall behind, maybe even run from some bears, but it’s okay. Life is not a clearly marked path through Sunshine Meadow and your kids need hard trails to strengthen their legs for the rest of their journey.
We all survived the eight mile hike that day, but two days later laughed and enjoyed the most beautiful hike I’ve ever experienced. Life is both, the highs and the lows.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31
