Monday, May 12, 2014 at 10:51 AM

 

5.67 miles

Today was a new adventure. We walked on the University of South Alabama mountain bike trails.
 

These trails totally separate you from the outside world. Once you enter there is nothing but trees and the path. We had to be very careful where we stepped because of all the roots crossing the path. Several times I tripped on one and was hurled faster down the path than I intended. Overall, I really enjoyed the experience. It was so different from walking on the streets and I was surprised at how it felt isolated from the city just a short bit away.

The trails are very well marked completing 12 miles.  When it is time to leave, the exits are exceptionally well marked as well.  I thought it was a great experience.

Confident Access

Attending a Bible study with us the other night were some young parents and their toddler daughter.   The little girl walked around the room,  sat and colored for a while,  and was particularly interested in the two dogs in attendance.

Finally she headed to her father. She began to climb up his legs into his lap  as soon as she approached him,  without even waiting for him to put his hands out to her in welcome.   She climbed into his lap without hesitation because she knew she was welcome and wanted there.   And, indeed, he cradled her in his long arms creating a safe haven for his precious child.

What a tremendous picture of our true  relationship with the Lord this was. We are just as welcome in our Heavenly Father's presence as little Penny Lynn was in her earthly father's.  We should also approach our Heavenly Father with the same boldness and confidence,  knowing that the blood of the Lord Jesus has purchased a free and clear access for us anytime and every time.

"In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and His children shall have a place of refuge." Proverbs  14:26

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."  Hebrews  4:16

Faces of Joy

While out for our daily walk a few days ago, my husband and I could see in the distance a mother and her daughter playing in their front yard.

The daughter was in one of those red and yellow “Little Tykes” plastic cars.  The mother was standing behind the car, looking in through the opening in the back just waiting for her daughter to turn and look at her.

The daughter did indeed turn, and the mother began to play with her something that looked like “Peek-a-Boo.”  Both the mother and the daughter were clearly enjoying the game.

As they heard our approach, they simultaneously turned toward us, both with the expressions of sheer joy still on their faces from their happy interactions.  Their faces seemed to radiate the pleasure they had in each other.

Immediately I thought of our relationship with the Lord.  If we are His child, He waits for us to turn our gaze toward Him and when we do, it fills His heart with more joy than we can imagine.

“. . .but the prayer of the upright is His delight,”  (Proverbs 15:8)

When we turn our gaze to Him, we also find joy unspeakable.“Whom having not see ye love; in Whom, though now ye see Him not yet believing ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory,” (I Peter 1:8.)

Our relationship with Lord should be one of joy and peace and enjoying the beauty of a relationship which all eternity cannot explain to us.  Our Lord seeks our presence, He purchased that relationship at the price of the life of His dear Son.  He longs for us to turn our hearts and thoughts to Him.  Let us seek Him with confidence and assurance that when we do, we will find a Father’s heart full of love, immeasurable, and poured out on us freely.

Zephaniah 3:17

“The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing.”

41,532.48

Yesterday, Glen and I decided to take a long walk.  I mean a L-O-N-G walk.  We chose Baldwin County as our destination and mapped out a route from Daphne to Fairhope and back.  Our trek was 13.11 miles.

When planning the route, I had not thought about the elevation involved.  In fact, I was quite surprised along the way at the number of hills we encountered.  It was easy seeing them looming upon our horizon to focus our eyes upon the crest of the hill (or what we thought was the crest, because sometimes it just led to more hill.)

Instead, I decided to  focus my attention on the area right in front of my feet.  I keep saying to myself, "Just one more step, just one more step."  The whole trek was simply a series of one step after another, for a total of 41,532.48 steps (give or take a few, if my calculations and GPS are correct.)

This morning we have both found sore muscles in our legs and hips where we didn't even know there were muscles.  It was the hills that have made us stronger.  On the downhills, it was easy to forget about our stride, our form, and let gravity take over, but up the hill was totally different.  It was one step after another.

Our lives are like that.  Some times our lives are exciting and fun and those feelings can take over and control us if we allow.  Some times are mundane and flat.  Some times are uphill. . .a difficult struggle. Our calling is to focus on the Lord and what He has done in our lives, what He is doing right now and trust what He will be doing in the future.  We don't need to fear what may happen in the future, but we should focus on what He has put in front of us this very day, this very hour, this very minute.  

Step by step by step. . . He will be with us in the difficult steps, the mundane steps and the exciting steps.

Psalms 37:23

"The steps of  a good man are ordered by the Lord:

and he delighteth in His way."  

Frances Davis