Appreciating the Hills

We don’t have to know what lies ahead as long as we know that God does.

I live in a neighborhood that could definitely be described as hilly. When my kiddos were growing up, their friends called it the roller coaster neighborhood. Some of those hills are really steep and I can’t imagine anyone with good sense trying to skateboard on them and I’ve never seen very many people riding a bike on them, but lots of people walk them.

I see people both old and young, out walking. Some people walk dogs. Some talk on their phones. Some walk with others and some walk alone. Some run and some stroll very slowly.

Recently, I was out walking and I came to one of those hills. I remember when we first moved in, over a decade ago, that I used to dread those hills. They took so much extra effort. I had two young children at the times and they couldn’t walk very far at all, before they were ready to give up and go home.

I remember there were times when I longed to live in a nice flat neighborhood with sidewalks where we could easily stroll.

But, on this day, I found myself thanking God for that hill and all of the other ones on my path. Those hills have helped to keep me in shape. They have helped to build stamina and perseverance. They have helped to make me strong.

While sidewalks would have been nice, the nature that I have been gifted with, has been stunning. The huge old trees, deer, squirrels, birds and hawks, that I see almost every time I venture out, are always a treat.

I pondered those hills, long after I returned home, huffing and puffing for sure, but a little more at peace than when I started.

I though about our life’s journey and the hills that we often face. As humans, we tend prefer, easy street, flat roads with sidewalks and manicured lawns, nothing to really challenge us or make us work too hard. If I’m honest, I would have to say I have often wanted that myself.

Yet, I’ve come to appreciate the strength, wisdom and beauty that has come from the hills along the journey. There have been seasons when I have walked and seasons when I have run. There have been season when I barely put one foot in front of the other. There have been seasons when I have walked with others as well as solitary seasons. There have been seasons when I have tried to drink everything in and seasons where I have attempted to tune everything out.

But, whatever the season, there’s always beauty and those hills are an important part of the journey, giving us strength for whatever comes next. We aren’t called to know what that may be, but to trust our God who does and to simply keep moving.

A hill reminded me. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂