Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O LORD, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 36:5-7 (NIV)
On one of the most perfect days of my life, Andrea and I took our horses to Little Manatee State Park for a trail ride. The mid January sun was in its full glory and warmed our backs as we rode. With the Florida winter temperatures, it was not too hot, nor too cold, but just right. A deep blue sky held only a few clouds. Sometimes at Little Manatee, the trails are wet and soft. We have to concentrate to keep our horses on the paths. Dry winter conditions meant an excellent footing and opportunities to trot without fear of slipping. We set off on the red trail, which we had not ridden in almost a year. This path crosses a deep gully and winds it way down to a shallow creek. The first time, Trucker and I ventured here, he initially refused to move down the trail. From the top of the bank, it looked very steep and there was no way to know how deep the water really was. I worked and worked and finally urged him forward and down. It made me very nervous, as he seemed to step off into a void. He carefully chose his way as we made it to the bottom and back up the other side. Coming back, we had to cross the ravine again and from that direction, the edges seemed even higher and more frightening. I felt like I was crossing the Grand Canyon and told Andrea so. Later, we would laugh about my fear and how I perceived that part of the trail, but then, I was truly frightened. Twelve months and many more trail rides later, we were back at my Grand Canyon. This time, with friends who we had met unexpectedly during the day. These friends had never been to the park with their horses before so we were showing them around. As we approached the gully, I warned them of its steep sides, but encouraged them to come behind us. This time, I was surprised that Trucker and I both took the dip in terrain in stride. It was no longer scary and did not seem as deep. Experience had taught us both we could handle it. However, I had to laugh as I listened to my friends exclaim over the descent. It seemed as deep to them as it had to me so long ago. What had once been a Grand Canyon to me was now just a part of the trail. It reminded me that when I come to hard times, difficult choices, or frustrating days, I simply have to keep going. There will be a time when I will look back and realize that I endured. And I also have a responsibility to encourage those who come behind me. It is possible. It may look scary, but they will also make it through. The key is in knowing Who loves me and cares for me, and sharing that with them as well.
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