On a recent trip to Yosemite National Park, my daughter and I hiked to the top of Vernal Falls. My sister told me ahead of time that the view from the top was breathtaking and that we couldn’t miss it. She had hiked it several times before and she assured us it was well worth the climb. The travel books called it a moderate hike and I’m in fairly decent shape, so I wasn’t concerned.
It wasn’t long into our climb when it occurred to me that my sister was in her early 20’s when she climbed to the top, and I am in my 50’s, but we kept going. It also wasn’t long into our climb when I wondered who the person was who decided it was a moderate hike. I mean, it was almost like a ladder at certain spots, but we kept going.
At one point, the people around us stopped to put on raincoats and ponchos and then continued their journey. I began to wonder if this “moderate” hike was truly worth the view. It was cool and we were clearly going to get wet, (which my sister had failed to mention), but we kept going.
Then we got out first views of the rainbows that were created from all of the water that was splashing from the falls. It was amazing and yes, totally worth getting wet to see, but the climb continued. We would stop and rest and get a drink of water and then we would continue and those fellow travelers on that trail with us did the same. It was an encouraging group with lots of smiles and patience for people moving at all paces. It was as if everyone knew we were all heading to the same spectacular place and the destination would be worth every step of the journey to get there, no matter how long it took.
I’ll have to admit that when we got really close to the top, I seriously considered giving up. The stairs were wet and the climb was vertical. Every landing seemed to lead to more steps. I ended up behind a couple going very slowly. The woman was using a walking stick the man walked close behind her encouraging her. Almost every step, he said to her, “You’ve got this Gail, just one more step.”
I have no idea who they were or what Gail’s story was, but when my daughter, who is in her 20’s, zipped past them, I walked behind them for a bit. I suspect that that man had no idea how much I appreciated his encouragement or how much I needed to hear it at the time, but by encouraging her, he was also encouraging me.
I asked another traveler how much further and she assured me that we were way to close to stop.
My sister was right. The view at the top was amazing. The climb had been worth every grueling step. We rested for a while in the bright sunshine with all of the other travelers who had made the climb before we headed back down.
That hike reminded me that as Christians, we are all travelers here. Sometimes the journey can be incredibly difficult. Sometimes we need to stop and rest, but we are called to both encourage one another and to keep going, one step at a time. Because the views where we are going will be spectacular.
Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂