And Abraham Went Out . . .

The Path of Faith

My thoughts are whirling around this morning and the kids are still in bed.  Let's see if I can quickly get them on "paper" before the stampede begins.  I have had a whole hour by myself this morning to prepare my heart and mind for the day.  Wahoo!

Anyhow, faith.  It's the theme on my heart these days.  It's been proclaimed a "year of faith" in the Catholic world this year.  And since I am a foreigner living in this Catholic land , it is on my mind as well.  It's quite timely actually.  We have already had a "year of faith" in our own family life.  And honestly, right now, my faith threatens to falter.  I am tempted to doubt God and that He is good.  So my prayers are much more numerous and fervent. Aaahh, tough times.  How they refine one's heart.  I am thankful.  I am. Most of the time.

It's also a month of faith in our home education studies.  This year we are embarking a year-long study on the seven major virtues.  The three theological virtues: faith, hope, and love.  The four cardinal virtues: prudence, justice, temperance, fortitude.

I'm thrilled at the "accident" that the beginning of the Year of Faith and our study of the virtue of faith coincide in the same month. Aaah, God is good.  This month is also a major tester of faith in my own heart as   we wait for our home to sell and as we pray for the upcoming election.  Much to be restless about.  Many chances to trust God and walk in peace.  It's certainly a rocky road right now.  The path of faith.

Speaking of rocky roads that seem to go all uphill . . . Devil's Lake.  We've found a favorite hiking trail here.  Actually, Doug and I first discovered it when we visited the area by ourselves early this summer.  There is a part of the trail where it leads straight up the bluffs.  A trail has been constructed straight into the rocky terrain.  I'm thinking by the CCC.  Anyhow, there are stairs made of the quartzite rock.  There are a couple of these paths going up and down the bluffs.  (I will not call it a mountain! I'm an Alaskan girl, remember?)  I usually like to hike up one side, walk (or run) around on top, and then go back down a different way.








This weekend my kind hubby cut me loose for an hour of exercise.  I headed out to hike the stairs and do a little running.  Of course, I didn't bring the camera and it was absolutely beautiful!!  The colors were incredible!

Anyhow . . . there are places on the trail where you really have to pay attention or you'll wander off the trail.  I did that several times.  I wasn't watching closely and had to retrace my steps back to the trail.  Once, for the life of me, I couldn't find the trail for a while.  Finally, I went out on one of the huge rocks and looked out from the vantage point there.  As I looked around, I still couldn't see the trail but I did see a trail marker.  After I saw the trail marker, then I was able to see where the trail wrapped around.  Then I was able to get back on track.  Hmm. A bit like faith, right?  It's easy to lose the way.  What do you do when you lose the way?  What signposts do you find?


I am writing this whole post though, because of one particular spot on the trail.  I was heading down the hill, paying close attention to the trail but still couldn't see where the trail led.  It seemed that all of the sudden, the path abruptly ended.  I could see three rock steps in front of me but that it was it.  Three small steps.  Where would it go next?  I even stopped to look ahead but could see nothing.  So I took those three small steps. Those three steps turned sharply around a giant rock.  Right around the turn of that giant rock was a very narrow but obvious trail of rocks continuing downward.  That particular spot in the trail is sandwiched between a huge rock and a tree.  And tight fit but the trail continued onward.  Interesting, huh?

THAT is the path of faith.  Is it not?  We may know the immediate step before us but that's where our knowledge stops.  So what's a person of faith to do?  We gather our courage, believe God made this path and that He, no doubt, knows where it leads.  We just keep our legs steady and walk on, eyes wide open.

My legs feel shaky.  The path seems awfully rocky.  It's been long and I'm tired.  But who knows?  The next bend could provide some relief.  And I must remember, trails are good.  I like hiking.  Flat trails are boring, right?  The tougher the trail, the better vantage point to gaze at God's beauty.  We can see where He's brought us, how its been worth it, and enjoy a wider view of the big picture.  Happy trails!