Hiking to the Promised Land

   Yesterday I was reading in the book of Numbers (Old Testament) and it finally dawned on me -- The Israelites were promised The Promised Land - but they had to fight for it. The  promise they received from God was not handed to them on a silver platter.
   So why do I think that something I believe God is leading me to should be easy? Because God is leading? I can't believe that yesterday was the first time I saw this so clearly.
   Some part of me has been thinking, believing, living as though life should be easy. That if God leads me into pastoral ministry - everything will work out just fine. It will be easy.
   Or, if I am married, have relationships with others, pursue an education or business - it will come easily.
   Maybe it looks like it is easy for some people - at least that's what I've thought. Now I am beginning to really grasp this idea.
   Yesterday I was hiking at Piestawa Peak - alone. My goal is to improve my time on this hike. It has taken me longer in the past but the last two hikes have been 45 minutes up. It takes Crystal 30 minutes.

  But that doesn't mean it is easy for her. She is young, strong, and works hard to make it look easy. And everyone on the mountain yesterday was working hard to get to the top. Some people turned and went back down. Others were running, but I noticed they were breathing hard, really hard. My guess is they felt the pain in their quads just like I did. And then kept going. Everyone at their own pace, struggling, putting one foot in front of the other, taking the next step.
   I realized that even when I could not see the top of the mountain - it was there. One step and one breath at a time I arrived.
   Reaching The Promised Land was no stroll through the meadow. Neither is reaching the top of Piestawa. But getting there is like a little piece of Heaven.

Leaning In

This week has been one full of reading, sewing, walking, and quiet. In addition to The Message translation of the Bible I'm reading: Invitation to Solitude and Silence, Failing Forward, and Mother Teresa-A Simple Path. I am learning something different but important from each one.

Invitation to Solitude and Silence by Ruth Haley Barton -- helping me quiet my mind and be in the presence of God without rushing, worrying, or telling God what I think he needs to know.

Failing Forward by John Maxwell. I've read it before and going through it again. That's either very smart or I'm a slow learner. Gleaning different lessons this time.

Mother Teresa - A Simple Path compiled by L. Vardey. This is the first book I've read about Mother Teresa and the Missionaries of Charity that she founded. Her work is amazing but it is "A Simple Path" that most intrigues me.
"The fruit of silence is PRAYER.
The fruit of prayer is FAITH.
The fruit of faith is LOVE.
The fruit of love is SERVICE.
The fruit of service is PEACE."