The little voice inside me said, “Turn around, it’s going to be too hard coming back up the trail.” But if I turn around, I won’t see the Lime Kiln at the end of the trail near Granite Falls. And that was part of the goal for the morning: not only going on a hike with the family, but seeing the big stone kiln used to breakdown limestone into lime in the early 1900’s.
For every step I took into the canyon, I knew it would be two steps up out of the canyon, but it didn’t matter. We reached the twenty foot tall kiln and it was so cool! After a snack, we headed back out the 2.7 mile trail. The boys took off, of course, while I set out on what was to be a good work out.
God help me get back to the car, I prayed.
A few minutes into the ascent, with my hands on my knees, a trail runner sprinted by me. “How’s it going”, he asked? “Good”, I gasped, which was a lie. And just like that he was gone into the forest. Oh to be in that good of shape, I chuckled.
I think that was God’s way of just checking in on me and encouraging me. I found strength in that moment. If this guy can run back to the trail head, I can certainly walk it. Along the way, I continued to have this little dialogue with God and was reminded of how much He loves you and me – that no matter the ascents or declines we face, God is with us. We can trust that He will always be there for us
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
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