The sun beat down on our backs making us hotter. That’s when the whining began. Honestly, the heat was miserable and
the incline was not easy. But,
chatting with GUB helped pass the time for Bill and me. Alexis was not so easily entertained. She focused on her pain with laser
intensity.
“I’m so haw-ought.” She began, drawing out the word into two
syllables for emphasis. (A classic
whining technique.) She drooped
her shoulders and sighed in accompaniment.
I offered to hold her hand and I pointed out wild flowers in
hopes of lifting her spirits.
Instead, she huffed even more and strengthened her whining
vocal chords.
“I’m so tired.” Her red face frowned angrily.
“We are almost to the top,” I offered, “then, we will get to
walk down hill.”
She crossed her arms and forced tears to spring into her
eyes and slowed her steps even more as she trudged up the path.
I just walked silently along beside her.
Then, we reached the summit.
The view did not disappoint. We all gazed with amazement down at the beautiful quarry
filled with clear water and surrounded by gorgeous trees.
Suddenly, Alexis found some energy. On the brink of death just moments
before, now she was hopping up on the fence to gape and the gorgeous view.
After we all had our fill of peeking over the ledge, we
began our descent.
Now, we were going down hill—in the shade!
This meant that the girls were once again up ahead. Happily skipping down the path, pausing
to pick up feathers or look closely at flowers. All was right with the world.
However, the only problem was, the girls insisted on being
in the lead. When they came to a
fork in the road, they started to go left, but then wisely, turned to ask GUB
which way to go.
“To the right!”
Came the reply. Going left
would take us miles out of our way.
Instead, we headed to the right and ended up at the base of
the beautiful quarry where we waded into the cool waters and looked WAY up at
where we had just been.
We saw cute turtles and tiny fish.
We heard our echo. Echo…echo…
We rested.
We talked and laughed.
We cooled off and drank water.
Eventually, it was time to head back to the car.
But, we didn’t go back the way we came. GUB knew another path. It was hidden in the bushes and this
time, the girls stayed behind GUB and let him lead the way on the secret
trail. 
The girls hadn’t wanted to leave the quarry, but the new
trail revealed fresh breathtaking views and gorgeous flowers and trees.
Ducking out of the forest trail and onto the cart path,
Alexis only made it a few steps into the sunshine before she realized she was
“dying” again. We didn’t have far
to go to the car and she began trudging along the path out ahead of everyone in
a huff.
Suddenly, GUB diverted off the path and headed up a slight
incline right through the grass. I
called to Alexis to follow GUB and she moaned at the change, convinced GUB was
taking us somewhere terrible or far, far away from our car.
However, the real reason for our off-road across the mowed
field was that it was actually a shortcut
to our car! GUB had seen her
fatigue, (exaggerated though it was), and graciously shortened our route.
This short hike revealed some parallels to our walk with
God. When we are in the midst of
the hot, up-hill climbs in life, it’s easy to get uncomfortable and
unhappy. If we talk to the Lord as
we walk, the time will go by much faster.
But if we focus on our pain and insist on complaining, God graciously
surrounds us with encouragers who will try to cheer us on by speaking truth or
pointing out the good things along our path. For those who refuse to be heartened, there is hope from
companions who stay silently by your side. (And if you get truly injured, your Father is sure to carry
you.)
No matter how hard or long the climb, there is always the
summit! Enjoy the views from your
conquered perch. The path may have
been difficult, but the revealing of what God had planned for you is always
worth it!
Be careful on the descent. When things are easy, you might think you can just be your
own guide and skip on ahead of God.
But, watch out for those forks in the road and pray that you’ll have the
wisdom to stop and turn back to God for direction.
Enjoy the times of rest and refreshment in the lush quarries
of life. Drink your fill of God’s
gifts. Praise Him for all that you
see.
Then, be quick to follow Him on hidden paths. Don’t go back the way you came. Walk along behind Him to new views and
new discoveries. And, later, when
the going is rough and uncomfortable again, trust Him when He abruptly leads
you off the beaten path.
It just might be a shortcut.
If all of this is too sappy and sweet for
you, just think for a moment. We are all capable of whining about our
circumstances. Is life uncomfortable? Are you whining to others rather than talking to God?
Or maybe you are in a huff over a sudden change of direction
in life. Don’t forget that God is good. The path may look
confusing--(it might not even be on an actual path--) but He knows what He is
doing and He knows what you need before you even whine about it.
Even though I've asked God to be my guide,
it's amazing to me how often I whine about the journey or don’t ask which way
to go or completely fail to trust Him. I say, “this can’t be right, God.”
Fortunately, He has promised never to leave me—no matter how
ridiculous a lamb I am.
Hey, you might be in a place where you are legitimately ailing and in desperate need. You don't feel like a young hiker, your life is too upside down and ugly for this cute little analogy. But you know what, the One who suffered is right there with you--in the dumpster, in the confusion, in the magots, in the bleeding heartache. He is still there.
I've mentioned this Ginny Owens song before, but the lyrics popped into my head just now and I pray it will encourage you wherever you are in your journey.
The pathway is broken and the signs are unclear
And I don't know the reason why You brought me here
But just because You love me the way that You do
I'm gonna walk through the valley if You want me to
'Cause I'm not who I was when I took my first step
And I'm clinging to the promise You're not through with me yet
So if all of these trials bring me closer to You
Then I will go through the fire if You want me to
It may not be the way I would have chosen
When You lead me through a world that's not my home
But You never said it would be easy
You only said I'd never go alone
So when the whole world turns against me and I'm all by myself
And I can't hear You answer my cries for help
I'll remember the suffering Your love put You through
And I will go through the darkness if You want me to
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