Psalm 121
I
will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from
the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot
to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth
Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee
by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve
thy soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from
this time forth, and even for evermore.
Make a Decision
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13 (KJV)
Life is really a long series of decisions, isn’t it? Some are small and routine—what to eat for dinner, where to go on vacation. Others shape the course of our lives.
One decision my spouse and I made after retirement was to begin hiking sections of the Appalachian Trail. Looking back, I’m not exactly sure what sparked the idea. Perhaps retirement has a way of nudging us toward things we once dreamed about but never had time to do. I used to say, “When I’m working, I have the money but not the time. When I’m not working, I have the time but not the money.” Suddenly, we found ourselves with a little of both—and the freedom to try something new.
The trouble was, we had no idea how to begin.
We knew we would be section hikers rather than attempting the entire trail at once, but that still left a lot of questions. What equipment did we need? What food should we carry? How do you get from one section of trail to another? The logistics seemed overwhelming at first.
But once the decision was made, we simply started learning. We spent many evenings researching, reading hikers’ advice, and figuring things out step by step. Eventually we felt prepared enough to head to Georgia for our first section hike.
Looking back now, choosing to hike the Appalachian Trail has been one of the most rewarding decisions of our lives. The experiences we’ve shared along the trail have brought joy, adventure, and a sense of wonder to our days. Hiking has kept us active and reminded us that there is still so much to explore—even in the later seasons of life.
Yet as meaningful as that decision has been, there was another decision that changed our lives far more deeply.
Years ago we made the decision to follow Jesus Christ—to trust Him as our Lord and Savior. That single step of faith reshaped everything. It brought peace, purpose, and the assurance that we are never walking through life alone.
One of the most beautiful truths in Scripture is how simple the invitation is. As Paul wrote in Romans, those who call on the name of the Lord will be saved. God doesn’t require perfection. He simply invites us into a relationship with Him.
The Bible tells us that God knows us completely. He knew us even before we were born (Jeremiah 1:5). And despite our mistakes, He still offers hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). His love was shown most clearly when He sent His Son so that we might have eternal life (John 3:16).
Faith begins with a decision—sometimes quiet and deeply personal, much like the moment you decide to take the first step onto a trail. You may not know everything about the journey ahead, but you know enough to begin.
And when that first step is taken with Christ, it becomes the beginning of the greatest journey of all.
If you’ve never taken that step of faith, you might take a quiet moment today to talk with God. Tell Him what’s on your heart. Ask Him to guide your life and help you follow Him.
You may discover that the most important decision you ever make is also the beginning of the most meaningful journey you’ll ever walk.
Reflection:
Think about a decision that changed the direction of your life. What helped you
take that first step? How might God be inviting you to trust Him more deeply
today?
Count the Cost
Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.” Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. Luke 14:28-33 (NIV)
Hiking will cost you money, time… and sometimes toenails.
I’m not joking about the toenails. On one long stretch of trail this year, I managed to lose four of them. Long-distance hiking can be hard on your feet.
But the truth is, hiking costs more than sore toes. Like any worthwhile pursuit, it requires an investment. Good gear—backpacks, boots, sleeping bags, and mats—can add up quickly. There’s a wide range of prices, and part of the learning process is figuring out what’s worth the extra cost and what can wait.
For example, boots are one place where quality matters. When you’re walking mile after mile, taking care of your feet becomes essential. Other items can be more basic at first, with upgrades coming later as experience teaches what works best.
As hikers gain experience, they also refine their gear choices. Conversations with other hikers, lessons learned on the trail, and simple trial and error all help shape what eventually goes into the backpack. Over time, most hikers adjust their equipment to lighten the load and make the journey easier.
But before beginning the adventure, it’s wise to ask an important question: Is this something I’m truly ready to invest in?
Time is another part of the cost.
You wouldn’t be wise to wake up one morning and decide to hike a long section of trail without preparing your body first. Training beforehand makes a big difference. It reduces soreness, builds endurance, and makes it possible to enjoy the miles rather than simply endure them.
Preparation requires discipline. But the investment pays off once you’re out on the trail.
Jesus spoke about this same principle when He talked about discipleship. In Luke 14, He reminded His listeners that following Him involves counting the cost. Just as a builder estimates expenses before starting a project, and a king considers his strength before entering a battle, those who choose to follow Christ must understand the commitment involved.
Faith is a gift, but discipleship requires intention. Walking with Christ means shaping our lives around Him—giving our time, our attention, and sometimes letting go of things that compete for our hearts.
In some ways, the Christian life resembles a long hike. It isn’t always easy. There are climbs that leave us breathless and stretches that test our endurance. Yet along the way we also experience beauty, growth, and the quiet assurance that we are not walking alone.
Like any worthwhile journey, it asks something of us.
But what we gain along the way is far greater than what we give up.
Reflections Questions:
What commitments in
your life have required preparation and sacrifice?
What might it look like for you to invest more intentionally in your walk with
Christ?
Are there areas where God may be inviting you to renew your commitment to follow Him?
Prayer:
Lord, help me count the cost of following You and choose faithfulness each day. Give me the strength to keep walking with You, even when the path is difficult. Amen.
Gear Up
Finally,
be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that
you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is
not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,
against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil
in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil
comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done
everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with
the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness
that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield
of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Take the helmet of
salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in
the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this
in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians
6:10-18(NIV)
Gear! So much to think about and so many choices to be made. It can be as simple or as elaborate as you want to make it. What kind of backpack should you buy? Do you want to use a tent, sleeping bag and mat or a hammock? Do you want to use a water filter, a steri-pen or iodine tablets to purify your water? What kind of cooking device? What are the best boots for you? What about clothing? What kind of trekking poles? And on and on.
Hikers love to talk about gear while sitting around a fire at night or around the picnic table at the shelter. “What kind do you use, how much did it cost and how much does it weigh?” One thing that I have noticed is that the less it weighs, the more it costs.
Personally, we use a tent, sleeping bag and sleeping mat. We tried hammocks on one section, but never perfected the hang We have purchased two different types of sleeping bags—one for cool weather and one for warm weather. We started out using iodine tablets to purify our water but later switched to Katadyn water filter. We originally used a Coleman one-burner camp stove, but now have a Jetboil stove. Thankfully we didn’t sink a fortune in our gear so if we want to make a change, we can do so without losing a lot of money. Section hikers have this luxury. Thru-hikers, of course, may not find it so easy to switch gear in the middle of their trip although it is not impossible to do so.
I would advise anyone to make a good investment in their boots. Try them on to make sure they fit right and break them in well before you set out on your first hike. If your feet aren’t happy, then you are not going to be happy.
Your gear is a personal choice. What works for someone else may not work for you and what works for you this year may not work for you next year. If you are a section hiker, you're most likely always going to be looking for improvement on gear, technique, destinations, and all sorts of variables impossible to think of ahead of time.
The internet is a valuable tool for doing research to see what other folks recommend and to check prices and even to shop. Equipping yourself with information will help you make wise decisions on your gear, but you definitely cannot hike the Appalachian Trail without making an investment in good gear.
Likewise a Christian has a full set of gear to use for the journey of life. The Bible tells us that we are fighting a spiritual battle against the evil forces of this world. When we become a Christian we are entering God’s army. As warriors, we have to put on the armor of God so that we can stand against the enemy.
Truth (belt), righteousness (breastplate), the Gospel (shoes), faith (shield), and salvation (helmet) are identified as the defensive pieces of the Christian’s armor. They keep us from being injured by the spiritual weapons of the enemy.
We are also given two offensive weapons—the sword of the Spirit (which is the Word of God) and prayer. With these two weapons we have power to do battle with evil. We cannot neglect reading the Word of God and prayer. From them we draw spiritual strength from God in order to charge in the battle.
When you are faced with an onslaught from the enemy, do you run scared? Remember, greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. Satan has already been defeated. Put on your armor, charge up your weapons, take a stand, and fight the good fight of faith.
Seek the Water Source
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed,
the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to
eternal life.” John 4: 13-14 (NIV)
Hikers are constantly aware of their next water source. Daily hiking plans are influenced by where water is located. They are always trying to analyze how much water they need to carry in order to make it to the next water supply. Water is one of the heaviest things in your backpack and, at two pounds per liter, it can really weigh you down if you carry too much of it when you don’t need to.
In regards to health and safety, not drinking enough water may well be the most common mistake made by hikers. When hiking in hot and/or humid conditions or at high altitudes, one liter per hour is generally recommended. Dehydration can make a person feel quite sick. I have personally experienced feeling dizzy and light-headed as a result of not taking in enough fluids; and we have heard stories of those who have found themselves in a dire situation as a result of not finding water at the common water sources.
The Thru-Hikers’ Companion indicates with a lowercase “w” where water is located. However, sometimes the water source is dried up, as was the case with us in Georgia. We hiked Georgia in the fall after a spring and summer of drought. Several times we were depending on water to be at a certain location indicated in the Companion, but it was not there. We had to ration our water supply and were not able to cook our usual food because we had no water.
There’s nothing more refreshing than the cold water pouring out of a pipe on the side of a mountain or in a little mountain spring. Some hikers drink straight from the spring; however, the clear, cold water can be deceptive. It could contain microorganisms that can make you sick. It is important to have a method of purifying the water.
Wouldn’t it be great to have a source of water always available, that we would never thirst again? Jesus is that water source. He said, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38) This river never runs dry and is always pure and refreshing.
Reflections
Eat Right
Then
Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me
will never be thirsty. John 6:35 (NIV)
As
newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby. I
Peter 2:2 (KJV)
It is
said that mountain hikers burn up to 6,000 calories a day. There is no way you can carry enough food to
provide that many calories a day; hence, most hikers lose weight. When selecting food for the trail, it is
advisable to try to find the foods with the highest calories and fat content,
while keeping in mind how much it weighs and your cooking method. Most hikers
select foods that prepare easily and quickly with a minimum of cooking time.
Most will narrow their recipes down to just a few that they like and can depend
upon to give them the energy they need.
On the trail, taste and desirability many times have to be sacrificed to
get the calorie content needed.
I have heard hikers say that
they do not mail boxes ahead on the trail for a long distance in the future
because their taste may change and they will not eat what they thought they
would be eating at that point. It is a
risk that you take if you do mail drops far in advance. There are re-supply stores all along the
trail where food can be purchased; however, sometimes it is not very convenient
to get to them.
The famous “hiker’s appetite”
kicks in after a while, leading you to want to eat everything in sight when you
get to a place where there is good food available. We have laughed many times about how much
food we can put away when we get into town.
Spiritual food is important out on the trail too. Many times we listen to music or scripture on our MP3 players. Some hikers think this is a no-no because you are suppose to be enjoying the sounds of nature; but, when you are on the trail day in and day out, you get plenty of nature sounds.
Scripture tells us to desire the milk of the Word that we may grow. The Word of God is important to our spirits just as food is to our body. We must feed our spirits daily to receive the nourishment that is vital to our spiritual growth. We are not meant to remain babes in Christ but should become mature believers able to disciple others.
Jesus is the bread of life to us spiritually. In Him we find all that we need to sustain us, to meet our every need, and to make us whole. If we have Him, we will never thirst nor hunger for more.
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 (KJV)
It has been said that there are approximately 80,000 white blazes on the Appalachian Trail, found on trees, posts, and rocks. White-paint blazes two inches wide and six inches high mark the A.T. itself. Side trails and shelter trails use blue blazes. Two white blazes, one above the other, signal an obscure turn, route change, incoming side trail, or other situation that requires you to be especially alert to changes in direction. In some areas, one of the two blazes will be offset in the direction of the turn. Above treeline, and where snow or fog may obscure paint marks, posts and rock piles called "cairns" are used to identify the route.
Distance between blazes varies. In some areas, blazes are almost always within sight; in other areas there may be only four or five per mile. If a hiker goes a distance without seeing a blaze, he should stop and retrace his steps until he locates a blaze. Then he should check to make sure he hasn’t missed a turn. He can often find the trail again or confirm he is on the trail by glancing backwards to find blazes meant for hikers traveling in the opposite direction.
By following the 80,000 white blazes for over 2,000 miles, a hiker will eventually find himself at the end of the trail on Mt. Katahdin—his ultimate goal. He will then be able to celebrate as he has won the “prize” of reaching the end of an incredible journey.
The Bible tells us to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God—another incredible journey. Following Jesus Christ will require exertion on your part. It is something that you must “press toward.” You will expend some energy. It will require some of your time and much of your personal effort. Pressing toward the mark will take something out of you. It’s not an easy road we are traveling to Heaven.
If we are to going to successfully press toward the mark we must aim our life at the goal at the end of the course. What is the ultimate goal of your life? When everything is over; when everything is said and done, what do you hope to have achieved? Do you have a goal, or is life aimless for you?
No matter how difficult the trail might be, we must keep pressing on. Forget those things which are behind—your past fears, your past failures, your past hurts and reach forth unto those things which are before you. You might be tempted to get off the trail looking for an easier “blue blazed” trail. You might want to go downhill a while during your uphill trek.
You will occasionally travel on a blue blazed trail to look for water or shelter but eventually you will have to get back on the trail with white blazes in order to reach your destination. Keep your eyes on the mark and press toward the high calling of God.
Don’t Give Up
And
let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a
harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up. Galatians 6:9
(TLB)
Mountain
hiking is hard work. It is mentally and
physically grueling at times. And when
you are physically and mentally—and maybe even emotionally—exhausted, you are a
prime target for discouragement to attack.
When you are exhausted, everything seems worse than it normally would.
Maybe your plans fall
apart. Maybe your hiking buddies have
left you behind. Maybe you don’t make
the mileage you would like to make.
Maybe you have injured yourself in some way. These are all times when discouragement will
most likely raise its ugly head.
Have you ever been there? If you have, you know that this is not the
time to give up. Now is not the time to
make major decisions about your hike.
Don’t you know that Jennifer Pharr Davis was discouraged when she got
shin splints on day five of her record-breaking hike? And if that were not bad enough, a few days
later she was terribly sick with diarrhea.
She thought her chances of setting the record were gone. She says she wanted to quit, but her husband
encouraged her to keep going until she felt better and then she could make a
decision. Sure enough, she did begin to
feel better and no longer wanted to quit.
Because she didn’t make that decision when she was discouraged, she set
the overall speed record for hiking the A.T. in 2011 (which has been broken a
few times since then.)
In Luke 9:61, a person said,
"I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at
home." But Jesus said to him,
"No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for
the kingdom of God." One of the
easiest ways for the Christian to get sidetracked from following after
Jesus is through discouragement. Peter
got discouraged when he denied Jesus three times but he did not give up. After Jesus’ resurrection, Peter preached his
greatest sermon and over 3,000 were added to the church that day (Acts 2).
Discouragement is the enemy of your goals. Don’t let yourself be overcome by it—fight back! If you need a break—take one! Find some positive people to associate with. Most of all, remember God will help you. Just ask Him. He can give you new energy and motivation. He promises that we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up.
Build Up Your Strength
Yet I
will rejoice in the Lord; I will be happy in the God of my salvation. The
Lord God is my strength; he will give me the speed of a deer and bring me
safely over the mountains. Habakkuk
3:18-19 (LB)
Training to build up your strength is crucial to your success on the trail. It can be done in any number of ways. Living in Northwest Florida is not really conducive to mountain-hiking training; but we feel that we have created a successful training plan. After we “thought” we had trained sufficiently for Georgia, we still had very sore muscles at the end of three days. We determined to avoid that our next time out; so we revised our training schedule drastically. Now we sometimes walk more miles during training than we do on our A.T. section hike!
We read one hiking book that suggested that many thru-hikers do not train before going on the trail; they use the first two weeks of their hike as their conditioning. After that they can pick up their speed and their mileage and make it just fine. That’s one way to do it—especially if you are a thru-hiker. But section hikers usually don’t hike for much more than two weeks at a time, so that would not work for them.
Habakkuk says, “The Lord God is my strength; he will give me the speed of a deer and
bring me safely over the mountains.” Isn’t that a good analogy for hikers? The Old Testament prophet Habakkuk must have
been a hiker too!
Habakkuk was outraged at the violence and injustice in his society. There was sin, wickedness, destruction and violence, no justice in the courts, and the wicked outnumbered the righteous. Sounds like the world today, doesn’t it?
Habakkuk is preaching against the evil, but he
is having little effect. Habakkuk raises a good question. Why does evil go
unpunished? Why do the wicked prosper? Why doesn’t God do something? Then God
tells Habakkuk that He is raising up a foreign nation, the Babylonians, to come
and destroy Judah. That’s not exactly
good news to Habakkuk but he says, “Yet I will rejoice in the
Lord; I will be happy in the God of my salvation.”
That should be a lesson to us. When we pray about a situation and it seems that God is not answering our prayer, or He answers in a way that we don’t expect, we should rejoice in Him anyway and be happy in the God of our salvation. The Lord God is our strength in times of trouble. He will give us the speed of a deer and He will bring us safely over the mountains.
Hike Your Own Hike
If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Galatians 6:3-5 (NIV)
Although there are two of us together out there on the trail, sometimes we still have to hike our own hike. He may be faster than me on some parts and I have to slow down and catch up later. He prefers the uphills and I prefer the downhills, but it takes all the hills to make the trip.
Thru-hikers get accustomed to walking long distances every day and they build up the required muscles after a few weeks. They usually walk faster than us. They might do 3 miles an hour or more, whereas we do 1.8 or 2 miles an hour on some sections. But we keep on going, hike at our own speed, and we eventually reach our destination. Our hike will be just as enjoyable as theirs.
When we first started hiking it seemed that we were always the first to leave camp in the morning and always the last to reach the shelter at night. But we saw the same people at the shelter when we got there. They didn’t go any farther down the trail than we did at the end of the day.
Sometimes along the trail there is a highway right beside the trail. Just north of Clingman’s Dome, I was trudging along up the steep incline, huffing and puffing, when I saw a car go by very close to me on a road that I didn’t even know was there. I thought I was miles away from civilization. They are taking the easy way while we are out on the trail with mud all over our boots, sloshing through puddles where it’s been raining for several days, going up the hills with backpacks on our backs weighing 25 and 35 pounds. They are enjoying their trip riding along in their car, while we are enjoying nature and the beauty of God’s creation. There is nothing wrong with the way they are doing it, but we choose to do it this way because we enjoy it. They may think we are crazy, but they are missing out on all this adventure.
Sometimes your life might seem to be a lot harder to live than someone else’s. You might think that you are always having problems whereas someone else you know never seems to have any problems. However, you never know what someone else may be dealing with that you don’t know about. There are most likely some people who think you have a perfect life.
We can’t compare our life to anybody else’s life. God gave us all different crosses to carry and different experiences to live. Everybody chooses to do things differently and reach the destination a different way. We have to make our choices in life and not worry about someone else and compare our life to theirs.
Every man will answer for himself, not for his neighbor. Every man must give account of himself to God. Someone else’s greater offenses will not excuse what you might think is your lesser offense. We should not concern ourselves about the actions and works of others; we must hike our own hike in life as well as on the trail.
Thank God for the Wind
Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing praise to his name, for
that is pleasant. He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth; he sends
lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.
—Psalm 135:3–7 (KJV)
When we first started our section-hiking adventure on the Appalachian Trail, I was brand new to backpacking and camping outdoors overnight. The daytime hiking was exciting, but nighttime in the wilderness was another matter. I wasn’t used to the sounds of the forest after dark, and I’ll admit I felt uneasy being out there with no one around but the two of us.
Most nights we set up our tent near one of the three-sided shelters spaced about a day’s hike apart along the trail. Often other hikers were there too. In the evenings we would gather around the picnic table, share stories from the trail, and enjoy the sense of community that forms among hikers.
But one night near Hogpen Gap in Georgia, things were different.
It had been a very dry summer, and many of the usual water sources had dried up. On one particular stretch of trail we had to keep hiking farther than planned just to find water. By the time we finally stopped for the night, we had no choice but to pitch our tent in a quiet stealth campsite beside the trail—far from shelters and far from other hikers.
That night I heard noises everywhere.
Every rustle, snap, and shuffle seemed louder than normal. My imagination began filling in all sorts of possibilities. Needless to say, neither of us slept much. The next morning we learned that wild hogs had been wandering around outside our tent during the night.
After that experience, I was determined never to stealth camp again.
But a couple of nights later—once again because of the lack of water—we found ourselves in the same situation.
That night, however, was completely different.
As we settled into our tent, the wind began to blow through the treetops. Soon it was rushing steadily through the forest canopy above us. The sound of the wind filled the night air so completely that I couldn’t hear anything else. No mysterious rustling. No unfamiliar footsteps. Just the steady sound of wind moving through the trees.
And for the first time in several nights, we slept peacefully.
I couldn’t help but think that the Lord knew exactly what I needed. I had been afraid of the unknown sounds in the darkness, so He simply sent the wind to cover them.
Psalm 135 reminds us that God “brings out the wind from his storehouses.” The same God who commands the forces of nature also cares about the quiet fears we carry in our hearts.
Sometimes His care shows up in big, unmistakable ways. Other times it appears in small, gentle provisions—like the sound of wind in the trees on a restless night.
God knows what we need, even before we ask. And wherever our journey takes us, we can trust that He is watching over us every step of the way.
Reflections
When have you experienced God providing for a need in an unexpected way?
Are there worries or fears you need to place in His hands today?
How can remembering God’s care in the past help you trust Him in the present?
Look for Trail Angels
Therefore
encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. I
Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)
And
let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but
encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)
Trail Magic—it’s a cold drink or a snack handed out by a stranger on the trail, it’s an unexpected ride into town, an encouraging word from a fellow hiker. Trail Magic is any event that lifts a hiker’s spirits. Trail Angels are the givers of Trail Magic. Little things make a big difference on the trail. A free soda, water, or ice cream can be all it takes to lift a hiker’s spirits and encourage them to keep going when they have decided they can’t go another step.
We have experienced many occasions of such help and encouragement along the Appalachian Trail. For example, on our first day in the Smoky Mountains after hiking for only about an hour we exited the trail into a parking area and found three guys who were offering free Gatorade and chocolate or apple pies to hikers. Although we had just started our day, it lifted our spirits and encouraged us to keep on going. These guys were thru-hikers themselves but had to take time off to let injuries heal. Their hearts were still on the trail.
Just before Tennessee Highway 91 we had a delightful surprise. The GAs and RAs (girls and boys) of Nelson Chapel Baptist Church had left a Trail Magic box beside a tree with a nice note. “Help yourself to a drink and a snack. We pray for you hikers—for your health, safety, and that you grow closer to God during your time in His great outdoors.” How nice! And what a ministry! This was at the end of our longest day ever—16.1 miles. We helped ourselves to a Faygo drink and an RC. It was very refreshing. Thank you, boys and girls, for thinking of the hikers.
By far the most welcomed trail magic was at Davenport Gap after we finished The Great Smoky Mountain National Park. The gentleman was from Ohio and he does trail magic full time on four different trails. He had a table set up with Famous Amos chocolate chip cookies and a bag full of different kinds of chips, and a cooler full of sodas. My, my, that treat did taste good and was the perfect reward for making it through the Smokies.
As we go along in life, we can encourage each other and help each other along the way. Many times when we are down and out and need a helping hand, the Lord will send a Trail Angel to help us out. Sometimes it might just be someone to talk to; other times it might be someone to bless us by meeting a financial need.
You can also be a blessing to other people; their journey may be rougher than yours. Pull them up and help them as much as you can. Be a Trail Angel to someone else. The Bible says that if we do these things for the least among us, we are doing them for Jesus. Our reward will come from Him in the end.
Build Your House on the Rock
Therefore
everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a
wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the
winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its
foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into
practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the
streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with
a great crash. Matthew 7:24-27(NIV)
On the trail in the Smokies, I saw a tree blown over and it had a big rock right in the middle on the bottom. It looked like the tree had been planted right on the rock. The roots weren’t able to reach the ground in the center; they were reaching around the rock to get to the dirt. When the high winds blew, the shallow roots of the tree were not able to sustain it.
It reminded me of the scripture about the wise man who built his house on the rock and the foolish man who built his house on the sand. The Rock is Christ Jesus. We are wise to build our house on Him with a solid foundation which cannot be shaken. When the winds come and the rains come, they will not wash our house away.
How do we build our house on Christ? Jesus’ message in the Sermon on the Mount is unmistakable. He is saying, “If you hear these words of mine and do what I have taught you, you will build foundations into your life that will survive the harshest of storms. And believe me, friend, storms will most certainly come! If you have not experienced storms, hold on! The question is, will you have the foundation in place to survive the storms?
The scripture says that if we hear His words and put them into practice, we are wise. The Word of God is our manual for life. It contains wisdom and instruction. We must study and know the Word in order to obey it.
Do not be like the foolish man who hears the word of the Lord but does not put it into practice. Your house will be built upon sand and when the floods come, your house will crumble. Just because you hear the Word of the Lord and practice it, does not mean that the floods will not come. The floods will come. We will have hard times. But what happens when the hard times come? Will your house stand? When the streams of debt, depression, controversy, and stress come, will you be strong? When the winds of strange doctrine and temptation hit you, will you be able to stand? Yes, you will if your house is built on the rock.
Stay on the Narrow Path
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV)
The Appalachian Trail is very definitively marked. If you keep your eyes on the blazes you will not get lost. Sometimes the trail is wide and rutted; sometimes it is a narrow ledge of stone; sometimes it is covered with plush leaves; sometimes it goes through a stream bed. No matter what kind of path it is, you must be sure to stay on the path.
We have heard stories from hikers of getting off the path and wandering around in the forest for awhile before they were able to find the path again. Yes, this has happened to us a couple of times. Doing so can cost a hiker valuable time in reaching his expected destination at the end of the day. It can also be very dangerous.
There have been a few folks over the years that
have gotten off the path and could not be found. It is unusual, but it has happened—as in the
search for Geraldine Largay, for example.
She went missing on July 23, 2013 and has not been seen since. Maine wardens say that 98 percent of those
missing from the trail are found within 48 hours.
The trail that starts at Springer Mountain, Georgia and ends at Katahdin, Maine is straight and narrow, so to speak and there are a few who find it and stay on it. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy says that each year, thousands of hikers attempt a thru-hike; only about one in four make it all the way.
Friends, we must find the straight and narrow path to Heaven and stay on it all the way. Unlike section-hiking the A.T., making it part of the way on this path does not count. Don’t get discouraged and quit; the prize goes to all those who complete the journey.
Stop and Smell the Flowers
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it. (NLT)
We have our own reasons for enjoying the great outdoors and specifically the Appalachian Trail. There is nothing like the feeling of quiet escape, the beautiful views, the fresh air, gentle breezes, gusty winds, tall shady trees, starry skies, bright full moons, stunning sunrises and serene sunsets that you can find there.
After taking thousands of pictures along the trail, I still can’t capture the beauty. Hiking the trail is about more than putting one foot in front of the other day after day. It is more about the journey. The journey through green valleys and over rocky mountain tops. The journey across rolling streams and through grassy cow pastures. The journey beside rushing rivers and roaring waterfalls. In winter, spring, summer or fall; each season brings with it a different kind of beauty.
It would be a shame to walk more than 2,000 miles and not enjoy the beauty along the way. It’s not about seeing how fast you can get there; it is more about enjoying the journey along the way. Sometimes hikers can get caught up in the technical aspects of hiking, or so focused on meeting their goal for the day that they forget to take time to enjoy nature and people as they go.
In life the same thing can happen. We get so caught up in reacting to the demands of a job, a busy schedule, a family, and other obligations that we forget to take time to enjoy life. God didn’t intend for our lives to be this way. He created this world for us to enjoy living in. He gave us ways to relief our stress and take a break from our hectic schedules.
On the trail and in our daily life, we should find enjoyment in every day – a story shared, a cool-looking salamander, a pretty flower, a beautiful view. Take advantage of the good things in life that God created.
Watch for Bears
Be
alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour. Resist
him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout
the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. I Peter 5: 8-9 (NIV)
One day we were walking along the trail going downhill and came upon a young man coming up the trail, trudging along, walking with his head down. He almost ran right into Wait-up. When Wait-up said something, he jumped and said, “Man, if you’d been a bear I would have been in trouble.” He wasn’t watching where he was going. He was not alert. A bear could have been right in his path and he would not have been ready to take the proper precautions to prevent an encounter.
Another night in Georgia, we were camping in the woods and had already bedded down for the night when we heard a fellow coming down the trail making all kinds of noise at the top of his lungs. He was definitely letting the bears know that he was on his way. We figured he was so close to the end of the trail that he was walking at night to try to reach his expected finish date. He was not going to let anything deter him from his goal.
One night on top of the hill we thought we heard bears but it turned out to be hogs. Almost scared me to death! When you are out in the woods at night, almost anything you hear can sound like a big fat bear. Our imagination can run away with us.
It is not uncommon to see bears on the Appalachian Trail. In fact, some folks relish the idea. If you take the proper precautions and follow the guidelines set forth by the forest service, you have no reason to fear them. However, you must treat them with respect and know what to do when you encounter a bear.
We all have dangers in our life; both physically and spiritually. It behooves us to know who or what our enemy is at all times. Don’t be caught off-guard by a temptation. Be prepared. Have a plan. Know what you are going to do when you face your enemy.
The Bible says be alert, be sober and stand firm in your faith. Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).
Leave No Trace
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Psalm 24:1(NIV)
“In its simplest form, Leave No Trace is about making good decisions to protect the world around you,” says the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. The LNT principles help keep the outdoor environment protected and wild. Considering the number of people who travel on the A.T. each year, following the LNT principles is vital. It is each person’s responsibility to learn and abide by the Leave No Trace rules of the trail.
Just imagine what any hiking trail would look like if every hiker was careless about leaving trash, using the bathroom anywhere they liked and not covering it, making campfires anywhere, and ignoring other Leave No Trace priciples.
Just imagine what our world would be like if we all lived our life with no thought for those around us. We could live in our own little bubble, selfishly gathering for ourselves and no one else. Not protecting our environment, not preserving our resources for future generations, not teaching our children to be good citizens.
We each have a responsibility to leave no trace of harm on our world or on the people around us. Instead, we have a responsibility to spread the love of God to others to make this world a better place for all of us.
Don’t Carry a Burden
Therefore
we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay
aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run
with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author
and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of
God. Hebrews
12:1-2 (NKJV)
To make hiking enjoyable, you need to rid yourself of any unnecessary weight or distraction. Any small irritation can make you lose your focus. It may be the strap on your backpack that is bothering you, or something under the strap that’s irritating you. Or you may be hungry or need to relieve yourself, too hot or too cold. Your thoughts are on the aggravation instead of on enjoying the trail. When something is getting under your skin you can’t think of anything else at that moment; you might as well go ahead and take care of the problem so you can get your focus back to where it should be.
Sometimes your pack is too heavy and cumbersome and will hinder your walk. Over time, you will learn that you can do without some things that you intended to use. A good rule of thumb is that if you haven’t used it in three days, you can probably do without it—but I wouldn’t recommend leaving it on the trail. We have seen all kinds of items on the trail and in the shelters discarded by fellow hikers. For example, once we saw a good pair of heavy boots left beside a white-blazed pole. They were good work boots, but way too heavy for long-distance hiking.
Hikers are constantly re-evaluating their equipment and thinking about how they can lighten their load to make their experience more enjoyable. The longer you hike, the more you think about these things.
We are told to run with endurance the race that is set before us. This race is not a sprint – but a long distance race. To be successful will require us to be vigilant about avoiding distractions. We cannot run this race with unnecessary weight or sin that so easily ensnares us.
Why does sin so easily ensnare us? Even after we give our lives to the Lord, we still have to deal with the flesh. Our minds still have strongholds from the past that will come to try to ensnare us once again. We have to constantly renew our minds with the Word of God in order to break these strongholds. For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
What is it in your life that weighs you down? Is it your past life of sin that you are still fighting against? An addiction? Is it worry or stress? Is it unforgiveness toward a person who has hurt you? Is it despair over a loss? Is it lack of trust in God to meet your needs? Whatever it is, this unnecessary burden is causing you to lose your focus and hinder your spiritual life. Turn all those burdens over to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. He is able to take care of them.
We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses that have already run this race and won. When the going gets tough in your life, just stop and listen to the roar!
Reflections
Don’t Curse the Rain
That you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:45 (NIV)
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)
It would be nice out on the trail if it was pleasant weather all the time—perfect temperatures, sun shining, gentle breezes blowing, dry ground. But the truth is, we are not always in ideal conditions out there. In May, 2013 on our 225 mile section hike, we hiked for days in the rain. Our feet looked like ground meat from being wet for so long at a time. We started getting blisters on our feet for the first time. Everything in our packs was wet. We set up our tent in the rain, and took down our tent in the rain.
Perhaps the worst part of it was that we couldn’t get our clothing to a comfortable temperature. It was too cold to be without our rain gear, but too hot with our rain gear on. No matter what the temperature, it seems that strenuous hiking always warms us up. Perspiration builds up under the rain suit and you wind up being wet and clammy anyway after awhile, so either way you are going to get wet.
For those reasons, we always dread the rain. But we have to remember that the rain is necessary too. Hikers need rain to resupply the streams so water will be available. The water situation in some places has been poor with few if any springs running. That puts hikers in a difficult position as well; one which we experienced in Georgia during the fall of 2011 following a drought over the summer. So when hiking you have to take the good weather with the bad—for your own good.
In life too, wouldn’t it be nice if everything was always hunky-dory? Wouldn’t it be glorious never to have to deal with hardships, grief or pain? To always be in perfect health and have peace of mind? Unfortunately, life is not like that even for the most righteous among us.
We have to realize that it takes the bad times to make us appreciate the good times. We learn from our difficulties. Making those hard decisions and living through those trials defines our character and makes us who God intended for us to be.
God sends us the sun and the rain for a reason and for a season. The sun shines and the rain pours on the evil and the good, the righteous and the unrighteous. We can count the rain as a blessing or a curse—I chose to see it as a blessing. How about you?
Beware of Poison Ivy
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:7-8 (NIV)
On our last day of the Georgia section, we were elated to reach the Georgia/North Carolina line. Our first state line—Wahoo! We hustled back to Blue Ridge Gap where we were to meet our shuttle and plopped down on the ground to wait for her. When I got in the car, my leg started itching (my inner thigh to be exact). By the next morning, I had a full-blown case of poison ivy on my inner thigh and it later spread to other surrounding areas...
On the trail you have to watch where you go, and be aware at all times what kind of plants you touch—especially when you step off the trail to dig a cat hole for your waste material. What looks like a pretty little vine just might be poison ivy.
Similarly, the words of the mouth be deceptive. Such a small, necessary part of the body can cause much harm when out of control. It can be used for evil such as gossiping, backbiting, slandering, tale bearing, and criticizing. All these things can be deadly poison not only to the subject of the talk, but to the one doing the talking.
Just like you should learn to recognize and avoid the poison ivy vine, tale bearers and gossipers can be recognized and avoided. If you find yourself in the presence of gossip, change the subject. Do not participate in spreading poison.
Reflections
Come Aside to Rest
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3:19 (NIV)
There are times on the trail, whether you are a thru-hiker, a day-hiker, or a section hiker, that you will need to take some time off to rest. You may have good intentions of completing a certain number of miles in a certain time period and you find that you just can’t do it. There is no shame in taking a day off when you need to. Most thru-hikers have numerous zero days within their 5 to 6 month time period.
You should feel free to rest when you need to unless you are trying to set a record as Jennifer Pharr Davis did in 2008 when she set the record for the fastest A. T. hike by a woman in 57 days and 8 hours at an average rate of 38 miles per day In July, 2011, she did it again in 46 days, 11 hours, and 20 minutes by hiking for 16 hours a day–an average of 47 miles a day. She reported that she started walking at 5:00 a.m. and walked until 9:00 or 10:00 at night. She slept for about 6 hours each night and got up the next morning at 4:45 to begin again. That’s not much rest when you have expended that much energy all day.
New records have subsequently been set by various people using new techniques of finishing the trail.
Times of refreshing come from the Lord. Through Jesus’ death on the cross, He carried the burden that we were meant to carry. Our sins are wiped out through repentance. A life of faith in Christ is a much lighter yoke and a much easier burden to carry than the heavy and burdensome yoke of self-righteousness under which we continually strive to make ourselves acceptable to God through works.
If you are a child of God, you have a promise of a resting place in Him. Come to Him when you are weary and burdened and He will give you rest.
Reflections
When You Fall, Pick Yourself Up
Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. Proverbs 14:16 (NIV)
The Lord upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. Psalms 145:14 (NIV)
We have had a few instances of falling; some minor and some almost injurious. I guess the worst one was in the section between Davenport Gap and I-40. The distance from Davenport Gap to Waterville School Road is 2.4 miles. Anything can happen in 2.4 miles in the mountains. We thought we were home free but, low-and-behold, when the walking was good and level, a root got in Wait-up's way and he went down—HARD! He actually turned a flip right there on the trail. When a 35 pound backpack gets going in one direction, it keeps going. His head hit the ground and his hand came down on a rock as he tried to break his fall. His hand later showed a pretty bad bruise and we realized that he was fortunate not to have broken his wrist.
He picked himself up, assessed the damage to himself and his bent hiking pole, and we kept on going up the trail. It was just one of those things that you have to deal with—you just pick yourself up and keep going.
Life is like that. Inevitably, you will fall. There will be times when—out of the clear blue sky—something will trip you up and—boom, you are down. You didn’t see it coming, you were not prepared for it and there was nothing you could do to stop it. Don’t lose faith—the Bible says the Lord upholds those who fall.
When you fall down, you pick yourself up—baggage and all—and learn from it. You learn what to do in the same situation the next time it faces you. You learn who you can trust and what relationships are “safe” for you to pursue. You learn what environments to avoid that could trip you up. You learn to take it slower and be wary of your surroundings. You learn to keep your eyes open and not become lackadaisical on the trail or in life.
Though the righteous fall seven times, they will rise again. There is hope in that.
Reflections
Take Care of Your Feet
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Isaiah 52:7 (NIV)
Hikers are obsessed with the condition of their feet. Happy feet make happy hikers. It would be wonderful if your feet could make it all the way to Katahdin without blisters, corns, calluses, or bruises; but I can assure you that won’t happen. The conditions on the trail will see to that. Long term wet weather means wet feet; wet feet mean blisters. A trail of continuous rocks means bruises.
We’ve had our share of foot maladies. We were so pleased on our first trip in Georgia that our problems were minimal, but there we had no rain and our daily mileage was fairly short. To think that would last was just too good to be true. Around Erwin, Tennessee, after walking through mud and water for several days, our feet suffered. We had to pamper them for several days and were miserable until the blisters healed.
When something seems too good to be true, it usually is. But this is not the case with the gospel of Jesus Christ. This news is true and incredible. And it is the best news we could share with our fellow man.
We have been equipped and assigned to share this wonderful news with the world. The Bible tells us to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15) What an incredible thing to share with those around us—God’s peace towards mankind, his love for us, his gift of grace and his overwhelming mercy. We have the words that bring life and Jesus has placed His faith in us to share it.
Our feet can be beautiful on the mountains if we carry out this assignment from the Lord. Share His love with someone today.
Reflections
Follow the Steps of Those Who Go Before You
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:7-8 (NIV)
A walk in the snow on March 21 in North Carolina is not what we expected. We camped on Big Butt Mountain and had prepared for snow flurries. When we got up the next morning, everything liquid in our tent was frozen. As we started walking south, we found that it was very hard to find the trail. It was all a blanket of snow in the forest. The white blazes were far apart. Many times the only blazes we saw were when we looked backwards to the trail heading north. As we progressed through the morning, we began to meet north-bounders. It was so much easier to stay on the trail by following the path that they had made through the snow. At the same time, we constantly checked for white blazes on the trees.
The A.T. is well defined in most places. It has been worn down by thousands of hikers through the years. Much of the time you could make your way by just following the worn-out trail. However, remember also to check for white blazes all along. The final authority on the correct path to take is the white blaze. If you follow the footsteps of others and keep your eyes on a person in front of you they could be leading you down a side trail because there are plenty of side trails to be taken. Ultimately it is your responsibility to keep your eye on the mark yourself to be sure you are on the right path. You can’t depend upon someone else to get you to Katahdin.
We have learned much about hiking from others; either by personally talking to them along the trail, doing research on the internet, joining social media groups or by email. It would be foolish to ignore what others have learned and ignorantly make the same mistakes that others have made. It is to our advantage to be teachable and to learn from others.
There are many people in your life who have blazed the trail before you, setting an example for you to follow. Your grandparents and parents have paid the price for the experience and wisdom they have gained. They have probably prayed many prayers on your behalf. We can avoid many mistakes along the way by listening to the advice of those older and wiser than we are.
However, we also have to remember that, although we can learn much from others, we cannot make it to Heaven on their faith. Our salvation is ultimately our responsibility. By keeping our eyes on someone else, we don’t want to be led down the wrong path that leads us to destruction.
Seek wise counsel, follow the commandments, keep your eye on the mark, and you will finish the race.
Reflections
Be Content
I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Phillipians 4:11-13 (NIV)
The weather forecast before we left that morning called for snow flurries, but we didn’t expect what the amount of snow that was piled up on our tent the next morning. We had pitched our tent right off the trail somewhere before the summit of Big Butt Mountain. Not long after we retired for the night, I was just dozing off when I heard a bunch of howling in the distance. “What’s that?” I asked. Wait-up said coyotes. Then I heard something softly hitting the tent. “Is that snow flurries?” I asked. We peaked outside and yes, it was snow flurries. It became harder and harder and every once in awhile the wind would blow furiously. Before long we saw that snow was being blown up under our rain fly and we had to hit the side of the tent to knock it off throughout the night. Sometime in the wee hours of the morning, we both got cold and had to put on more clothes. Our sleeping bags are rated at zero degrees, but they didn’t keep us warm. We found out later that the temperature on the mountain got into the single digits.
When we woke up in the morning after sleeping off and on, we found that there was at least 3 inches of snow on the ground.
We finally got packed up and started up the mountain toward Big Butt about 9:00 a.m. It was very cold and windy all day, highs in the 30’s. Our water did not thaw all day. On the trail we met one man headed north who had icicles hanging from his handlebar mustache.
We hiked in snow all day long—which meant that the well-worn trail was hard to find. Add to that, the fact that this section of the trail southbound was not well blazed! It was a very hard day. About 3:30 in the afternoon, we stopped at a spring to refill our water bottles. While pumping the water through our filter, I looked at Wait-up and he looked at me and I said, “Honey, let’s go home.” He didn’t hesitate to say “Okay.”
We found out from the Hemlock Hollow hosts that they had rescued three hikers from last night. One suffered from hypothermia, one with a twisted knee and one with a twisted ankle. We spoke to the young man with hypothermia in the bunkhouse and his story was that he was spending the night in a shelter and the snow blew in on him, he got up and got his tent and just wrapped it around him, it got condensation in it which turned to ice. When he woke up again he was in bad shape, he called a couple of his hiking buddies who were on another part of the trail to come up and help him down off the mountain. Whew! glad that didn't happen to us!
Walk by Faith, Not by Sight
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
The just shall live by faith. Hebrews 10:38 (KJV)
“Before you achieve it you must believe it.” I have had many days on the trail when I thought I would not make it through the day—not even the next hour. I always have at least one day in each section when I think to myself, “What am I doing here? I must be crazy for thinking that I can do this.”
If I were to stop my hike right at that time, I believe I would never start again. But I keep going, putting one foot in front of the other and trudging along, and you know what? I make it! I finally get to the end of the day and I am still alive. Then I get up the next morning and start the same thing all over again. I have learned that if I can just keep going, the feeling of despair will pass. And it is so worth it when we reach our goal and experience that feeling of accomplishment.
Live your life by faith in the Son of God. He knows the future and He can take care of it. Give all your concerns to Him. Follow His leadership and He will make a way where there seems to be no way for His will to be done in your life, because He loves you and gave Himself for you.
The Word says that He has given to each of us a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). We have the faith we need to complete the task that God has for us to do, to finish the race. And when we find our faith weak, the Bible tells us that faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Build up your faith by listening to or reading the Word. When you feel like quitting, don’t quit! Keep on putting one foot in front of the other and you will make it!
Reflections
The End Result is Worth All the Suffering
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18 (NIV)
But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. I Corinthians 2:9 (KJV)
Some say that thru-hikers don’t necessarily need to train for their hike. They say that after about two weeks on the trail, you will have all the soreness worked out and you will be in shape. It is true that the longer you are on the trail, the less sore you will be and usually the faster and longer you can hike. Section hikers usually don’t stay on the trail long enough so they should train before they go. Either way, there is some suffering going on at the beginning. As time goes by, it may become less, but I believe all the way through there will be rough spots where you will have to reach for every resource you have in your body to make it through a section.
The suffering pales in the glory of finishing the race. It doesn’t matter if your race is all the way to Katahdin, or only to Hot Springs—2,000 plus miles or 215 miles. When you reach the goal, you forget all about the suffering you went through to get there. Well, you might not forget ALL about it, but it does pale after awhile.
I wish the trials of life were only physical, but it’s much more than that. Many of us will have to pass through not only physical, but mental and emotional trials that will cause us to want to drop out of the race. We will have to pray many times, “Lord, help me climb this mountain.” And He will. He will see us through every trial that comes our way.
You may be in a hard trial right now; you may feel that your faith is fading under an onslaught of troubles. Did you know that trouble itself can be a way to strengthen your faith? With each new trial and victory comes growth. You are building a foundation. When the next mountain comes, we will have more strength to face it.
No one can promise an end to adversity in this life, nor that adversities will be short-lived. One of the characteristics of trials in life is that they seem to make clocks slow down and then appear almost to stop.
But we do have the promise that Jesus said in His house are many mansions, He is going to prepare a place for us (John 14). A place where there will be no more crying, no more pain, no more suffering (Revelation 21:4).
Reflections
Expect Uphills and Downhills
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33 (NIV)
The uphills and downhills on the trail remind me of the uphills and downhills of life. Sometimes it is pretty rough and you want to quit. You think you just can’t go any further. Some mountains are steeper than others but they are all uphill and they are all hard. In life, too, you may have an uphill battle and may want to quit; throw in the towel and say, “Let me off this train; I just don’t want to do this anymore—I can’t do this anymore.” But you can’t quit; you have to keep on going. Just take one day at a time, one step at a time; do all those treatments that the doctor recommended; go to the doctor everyday sometimes for treatment, chemo, or dialysis. You get so tired of doing that. But you can’t quit. Sooner or later you do reach the top of the mountain.
Sometimes the plateau is short; sometimes it’s long enough for you to rest awhile. We all prefer the plateaus, I’m sure. They are nice level ground, just cruising along under the shade trees, resting and not worrying about tiring yourself out. You don’t even have to use your hiking poles. But on the trail that is always short-lived. You’re always going to reach another patch where you have to go uphill or downhill to get where you’re going.
That’s just like life. Your plateaus are going to be nice walking for a while, nothing bothering you. No sickness, no disease, no neighbors aggravating you, no church problems. You’ve got it made. You think, “Wow, this is nice. I can do this for a long time.” But inevitably there always comes another mountain, another valley, another hill to climb—some steeper than others—and you face it again. That’s when you have to say like a song I use to sing, “Lord, don’t move this mountain, just give me strength to climb.”
You just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other and just making progress a little at a time until you get to the next plateau in your life. Don’t get discouraged, take your time, hike your own hike, keep your eye on the mark, look for trail angels to help you along the way, and you’ll make it. Jesus says He has overcome the world, and that means you can too!
Slow Down
The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. Lamentations 3:25 (KJV)
Everything on earth has its own time and its own season. Ecclesiastes 3:1 (CEV)
It pays not to get in a hurry out on the trail. For one thing, you miss so much of the beauty when you rush through the terrain. And another thing is, you might get hurt from going so fast. I recall a time on the trail in North Carolina right before Wesser Bald Shelter. We were trying to beat the rain and get to the shelter before it filled up for the night so we wouldn’t have to set up our tent in the rain. The water source was before the shelter so we had to stop to get water as we were going. Right before we got to the water hole, the rain turned to hail. Going on down the trail to the shelter—oops—Wait-up stepped on a root and down he went—right on his behind. Landed on the roots sticking up out of the ground. We learned two things—that you should take your time even in the rain and do not step on wet roots.
Think of all the things—mundane and meaningful—that compete for our attention every day. We live in a world of fast food, rapid transit, instant messaging, and constant claims about how to get rich quicker, get fit faster, and succeed now. Despite the quantity of supposed time-saving tools, we often feel pressed and stressed by the demands on our time. In our fast-paced, drive-thru, high speed, instant everything world today, slowing down and waiting on God seems like a foreign concept. But the Lord is good to those who wait for Him.
We get impatient waiting on God, don’t we? We want Him to hurry up and make something out of this old lump of clay. We want to instantly be mighty warriors able to accomplish great feats for Him. Believe God is working in your life even when you don’t feel it. Spiritual growth is sometimes tedious work, one small step at a time. Expect gradual improvement.
The Bible says, “Everything on earth has its own time and its own season.” There are seasons in your spiritual life, too. Sometimes you will have a burst of growth (springtime) followed by a period of dormancy and testing (fall and winter).
We would like to have our problems, habits, and hurts instantly and miraculously removed. I think we should pray for miracles, because I do believe that miracles happen, but don’t be disappointed if the answer comes gradually. God’s timing is not our timing.
Be patient with God and with yourself. You may feel frustrated with the seemingly slow progress you’re making in life. Remember that God is never in a hurry, but He is always on time. He will use your entire lifetime as a training ground if you are willing to keep growing and learning.
Don’t be in a hurry to do it all yourself. Don’t be in a hurry to get back your “busyness”. Don’t be in a hurry to be done.
Discipline Yourself
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 (NIV)
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (ESV)
Mountain hiking takes discipline, that’s all there is to it. The majority of the business going about getting it done and being successful at staying on the trail is in the mind. You have to discipline your mind but you also have to discipline your body to bring it into condition before you get to the trail.
We learned after our first trip to Georgia that we needed a more rigorous training schedule—one that included not only flat-land walking, but some hills and a load on our backs. So we started including some bleacher work in our laps around the soccer field and also added a long hike up and down the biggest hill we could find in our little neck of Florida. It really did help us not get so sore on our next trip. From our experience, you can either discipline yourself before you go or you can suffer later.
Learning to be a disciple takes discipline. It takes time to read and study the scriptures, to spend time in prayer and meditation with the Lord, to spend time in His presence. Many times we will have to let other activities go in order to have the time needed to become a disciple of Jesus. Nothing is more important than following and obeying Him.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Most hikers would say that trekking (hiking) poles are a must in the mountains. Not only do they save your knees, but they save your energy by helping you to push yourself up the mountains. Also, they keep your hands from swelling from hanging straight down all the time. Perhaps most importantly, many times they keep you from falling.
They don’t have to be expensive poles, just strong, although some hikers swear by the more expensive ones. We purchased ours from Walmart and they went all the way to Maine with us. We feel that ours get the job done and if we need to replace them we can do it without a huge investment.
I have seen several times on our hikes that I was super glad that I had a hiking pole to break my fall. It is good to know that you have something to lean on when the need arises.
I have also known many times when I needed someone to lean on for strength, stability, and support. When walking through the rough terrain of my life, I find that I cannot lean on my own understanding. I need wisdom far beyond my own. In all my ways, I try to acknowledge Him in my life so that He can direct my paths.
A relationship with Jesus Christ is the greatest support you can get. After all, He is the great “I Am.” He is All Sufficient, Jehovah, the Messiah, the Resurrection, the Light, the Lord, the Almighty God, the Shepherd, the Righteous One, the Lamb, the Good News, the Beginning and the End, the Ultimate Sacrifice, the Bread and the Wine, our Savior, our Redeemer, our Healer, our High Priest, our Hope, our Peace, our Joy, our Rest, our Comfort, and our Strength. What more do we need?
He wants us to have the kind of trust in Him that makes us want to put our entire lives into His hands. Many times we are guilty of trying to do things our own way, believing somehow that our ways are better than God’s ways, or that we know better than Him.
Lean not to your own understanding. Lean instead on God’s truth, on the wisdom that we find in God’s word. As we read and understand His word, we will learn to trust Him and submit to Him in all our ways. Then He will make our paths straight. Isn’t a straight path so much easier to walk on than a crooked path? As we lean on Him and walk the straight path, we will be saved from many falls in our lives.
Be Prepared at all Times
…it
is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, Hebrews 9:27.
(KJV)
For
we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may
receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or
bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV)
While deaths on the Appalachian Trail are rare, death does come to hikers from time to time. During the time of our hiking the A.T., we heard of several incidences of tragedy that have befallen fellow hikers.
June 2012 - A 20-year-old man thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail drowned while swimming in Pierce Pond.
July
2012 -According to the Johnson City (Tenn.) Press, a father and son’s hiking
logs informed authorities they had been hiking for 13 days when another hiker
spotted their bodies floating in the pool below Laurel Falls.
January
2013 - Rangers found a man, about 50
years old, at the Tricorner Knob Shelter in the Great Smoky Mountains National
Park. The rangers were checking after a hiker was reported overdue at Davenport
Gap in North Carolina.
May
2013 – A 36-year-old hiker has been found dead at a house in Abingdon which is
just a few miles west of Damascus, Virginia. His gear was at a campsite on the
Virginia Creeper Trail.
July
2013 – A 66-year-old woman disappeared while hiking the trail. It is known to the Maine Warden Service that
she definitely spent the night of July 21 at the Poplar Ridge lean-to and that
she did send a text to her husband the next morning stating that she was
leaving the lean-to and heading north. The woman was hiking the trail alone
while her husband followed, meeting her at predetermined meeting points to
re-supply. The husband last saw his wife at the Appalachian Trail crossing
Route 4 July 21. They were to meet at the crossing on Route 27 July 23. When
she didn’t arrive, her husband assumed that she was held up because of rain and
he spent the night in his car. He called the Carrabassett Valley Police at
about 1 p.m. July 24 realizing that something was wrong. They found her body
two years later.
Life is short and full of surprises. It is appointed unto each of us to die, and we never know when or where. The only thing we can do about it is to make sure that we are ready to meet the judgment that is to come after death. We will all stand before Christ and answer for how we lived our lives here on earth. Will you be ready for the most important appointment of your life?
Fear No Evil
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me.” Psalm
23:4
As we were driving to the trailhead, Wait-up said he had been thinking of Psalm 23 and wanted to see if he could quote it. We spent several minutes quoting it together and I looked it up on my phone to see if we had it right. This scripture would soon prove to be comforting to me.
Shortly after we arrived, a man walked up who was obviously not a hiker. He carried only a water bottle and a camera. He introduced himself as the President of the Duncannon AT Community organization and we began to talk about the recent suicide on the trail in this area. I told him there was no mention of it in the trail register. He was searching for signs of damage to the trail due to the ATV’s used to remove the body of the deceased. The conversation developed into talk about a 25-year-old murder which took place at a shelter just south of Duncannon. The Cove Mountain Shelter replaced the murder site, Thelma Marks Shelter in 2000.
As we prepared for the night, I chose the platform on one side of the shelter while Wait-up set up on a platform on the opposite side. He asked me if I felt I would sleep alright on the other side of the shelter and I responded affirmatively. However…. In the middle of the night, I awoke in terror! If thought I heard something, like someone breathing loudly outside the shelter. I began to have tormenting thoughts about me being separated from my husband by middle expanse of the shelter floor and what would we do if someone came into the shelter right now? How would we defend ourselves? I woke Wait-up up and asked if he heard anything. He didn’t. I asked him if he had the bear spray with him. He did. He went back to sleep, but I spent the rest of the night in my sleeping bag reciting Psalm 23 and listening to the distant rumble of a train.
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me.”
The phrase “fear not” or something similar appears in the Bible over 100 times. On the occasions where angels appeared to someone, their first statement was “Fear Not.”
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7) I am so thankful that I have the word of God that gives me assurance that He is always with me and I need not fear.
I Am Strong
Let the weak say, “I am strong!”
—Joel 3:10 (NIV)
It was our last day hiking in Vermont. The
rain had finally stopped, and the forecast promised sunshine and warmer
temperatures. We left the shelter early—around 6:30 a.m.—ready to finish
strong. The day ahead looked manageable: mostly downhill after a couple of
climbs, first up to Podunk Road out of West Hartford and then another uphill
stretch toward Happy Hill Shelter. After that, we expected a long downhill
stretch.
At least that was the plan.
As the day unfolded, it became one of the
most difficult days I had experienced on the trail. My legs felt like concrete,
and every uphill step made the ache worse. Before long my back, shoulders, and
legs were all protesting at once.
West Hartford had a reputation as one of the
“hiker-friendliest” towns along the trail. We had heard stories about houses
displaying Appalachian Trail signs, water spigots available for hikers, and
trail magic appearing along the way. One hiker even told us about a man from
the local school who would run out with a big hunk of cheese and fresh bread
for passing hikers.
I had been looking forward to that moment
all morning.
But when we walked through town, we didn’t
see any of it. No trail magic, no friendly signs, and no cafeteria man with
cheese and bread. We didn’t even see the school. The only store in town was
closed.
A little disappointed, we sat down on a
concrete slab outside of town and ate a snack from our own packs before
crossing under I-89 and heading back into the woods.
By then I was discouraged and worn out.
The trail climbed again, and each step felt
heavier than the last. Wait-up moved steadily ahead while I lagged farther and
farther behind, simply trying to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Then the mosquitoes arrived.
These weren’t ordinary mosquitoes—they
seemed as big as small airplanes. Swatting them didn’t help much. You had to
wipe them off your skin because they clung like glue and tried to find their
way into every opening on your head. They even landed on my eyelids, and I
found myself blinking furiously trying to shake them loose.
At one point, while wiping mosquitoes from
my eyes, I stepped on a slick root and landed squarely on my backside.
Eventually I begged for a short break and
collapsed onto the ground, exhausted. “I give up,” I said dramatically.
“Mosquitoes, just take me.”
As we hiked that day, we had been listening
to a message from one of our favorite pastors on an iPod. Just as I was lying
there trying to convince myself to get up again, the pastor’s voice came
through the earbuds.
“Quit being a baby!” he said. “Just because
you feel yucky doesn’t mean you have to think yucky or talk yucky or act
yucky.”
I immediately replied to the iPod, “Hush up,
Pastor. I didn’t ask for your opinion right now!”
Then he continued, “Spiritual people can
feel yucky and still shout hallelujah! Spiritual people may feel weak, but they
stand up and say, ‘Let the weak say, I am strong!’”
The timing was so perfect that I couldn’t
help but laugh. It was exactly the encouragement I needed in that moment. I
picked myself up off the ground and kept trudging down the trail.
Joel 3:10 reminds us that strength isn’t
always about how we feel physically or emotionally. There will be days when we
feel weak, tired, or discouraged. Yet God invites us to rely on His strength
rather than our own.
Sometimes the most powerful declaration we
can make is simply this: even when we feel weak, God is still strong within us.
And with His help, we can keep moving forward—one step at a time.
Reflections
When have you felt physically or emotionally
worn out on your journey?
How have you experienced God strengthening
you during difficult moments?
What might it look like today to rely on God’s strength rather than your own?
Rocks and Roots
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT)
Maine is known for her rocks and roots. If it’s not rocks to deal with, it is roots, and if not roots, it’s rocks. And sometimes both. We learned early on in the lower states to never step on a wet root. They are very slippery! Even level ground is hard to maneuver quickly in this terrain.
Nevertheless, we were elated when, between Mt. Success in New Hampshire and Goose Eye Mountain in Maine, we reached the Maine state marker. It was unbelievable that we were finally here – our fourteenth state! Springer Mountain south 1908 miles, Katahdin north 282 miles!
Above all else, the roots and rocks, the weather, the pain, the weariness could not dull our spirits.
Today’s verse reminds us that if we let our roots grow down in Jesus, our faith will grow strong and we will overflow with thankfulness. Starting immediately, thank God for every gift He gives, from those as small as a flower along your path to the big things like the fact that you are alive and healthy. Practice intentional gratitude by remaining aware of God’s gifts as you move through your day, and to actively acknowledge each gift with a simple ‘Thank You.”
Reflections
Find God in the Wilderness
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 (KJV)
“Caution: There are no places to obtain supplies or get help until Abol Bridge 100 miles north. Do not attempt this section unless you have a minimum of 10 days supplies and are fully equipped. This is the longest wilderness section of the entire A.T. and its difficulty should not be underestimated. Good hiking!”
“Sounds ominous, doesn’t it?”
That was our first thought as we stood before the weathered sign marking the entrance to the 100-Mile Wilderness, the most remote and rugged stretch of the Appalachian Trail in Maine. For thru-hikers, this legendary section is the final major obstacle before reaching the base of the long-awaited Mt. Katahdin—the northern terminus of the trail.
For many hikers, that sign marks the beginning of one last test.
When we arrived, along with several hikers who had been staying at Shaw’s Hostel in Monson, we felt a mix of emotions—excitement and uncertainty, anticipation and fear. What if we couldn’t do this? What if we hadn’t planned well enough?
The 100-Mile Wilderness has very limited road access. Once you begin, turning back isn’t easy. Some younger, faster hikers push through the wilderness in three or four days.
But we were not typical thru-hikers.
In fact, we had been working toward this moment for eight years as section hikers, completing the Appalachian Trail piece by piece. By now, many thru-hikers had been on the trail for four to six months and were in the best shape of their lives. They had shed weight, built endurance, and developed a rhythm of daily miles.
Some were eager to finish the trail. Others felt reluctant, knowing their incredible journey was nearing its end.
As for us, we were ready to finish what we had started.
And the only way to Katahdin was straight through the wilderness.
So with our tramily, we stepped onto the trail and began the journey into the wilderness.
The landscape quickly lives up to its reputation. Dense forests stretch endlessly in every direction. Mountains rise and fall beneath your feet. Quiet ponds reflect the sky, while muddy bogs threaten to swallow your boots.
Then there are the less charming companions—loud frogs, relentless black flies, clouds of mosquitoes, the occasional snake, and the ever-present possibility of bears.
Yet despite its challenges, the wilderness is breathtakingly beautiful. Away from the noise and distractions of civilization, the land feels still and sacred. There is space to breathe, to think, and to listen.
In many ways, the wilderness becomes a place of renewal.
Life has wilderness seasons too.
None of us would choose them. Yet sooner or later, everyone walks through one.
Yet despite its challenges, the wilderness is breathtakingly beautiful. Away from the noise and distractions of civilization, the land feels still and sacred. There is space to breathe, to think, and to listen.
A wilderness season may look like a time of uncertainty, hardship, or waiting. Life doesn’t unfold the way we planned. Doors close. The future feels unclear. Everything seems heavy, gray, and difficult to navigate.
During these times, it’s easy to feel lost, alone, or forgotten.
But Scripture shows us something remarkable: God does some of His greatest work in the wilderness.
It is there that we learn to depend on God more deeply. It is there that we begin to recognize His presence more clearly. It is there that our faith grows stronger and our hearts become ready for what lies ahead.
Joseph’s years of betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment prepared him to become second-in-command over Egypt. Moses spent forty years in the wilderness before God called him to confront Pharaoh and lead Israel to freedom. The Israelites themselves wandered in the desert for forty years as God shaped them into the people who would inherit His promise.
Again and again, the wilderness becomes a place of preparation.
The prophet Isaiah captured this promise beautifully:
“See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.”
If you find yourself in a wilderness season today, take heart.
God is not absent in the wilderness.
In fact, He is already at work there—making a way where none seems possible. Even in the dry sand of hardship, heartache, and uncertainty, something new is beginning to grow.
And one day, you may look back and realize the wilderness was not the end of your journey.
It was the place where God prepared you for the summit ahead.
And just like hikers crossing the 100-Mile Wilderness, we keep moving forward one step at a time, trusting that the miles behind us are shaping us for the moment ahead. Somewhere beyond the dense forests, the muddy bogs, and the long, weary climbs, the summit waits.
For Appalachian Trail hikers, that summit is Mount Katahdin—the long-awaited peak that marks the end of the journey. For believers, the wilderness is not the end of the story either. It is simply the path God uses to prepare us for what lies ahead.
So if the road before you feels lonely or uncertain today, keep walking.
The wilderness will not last forever. And one day, when you stand on the summit God has been leading you toward, you may discover that the hardest miles were the very ones that strengthened your faith the most.
Two Are Better Than One
Two are better than
one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of
them falls down one can help the other up. But pity anyone who
falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together,
they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be
overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not
quickly broken .Ecclesiastes 4:9 (NIV)
Share each other’s troubles
and problems, and so obey our Lord’s command. Galatians 6:2 (NLB)
We (Wait-up and Catch-up) make a good
team. There are many times that I would
not be so diligent about working out or doing training hikes if I had to do it
alone. It would be very tempting to stay
on the couch. When I am reluctant, he is
insistent. And not usually, but sometimes,
it works the other way around.
On the trail, when I feel like quitting—usually at least once on
each section--he encourages me to keep going.
Many people choose to be solo hikers and they do fine; however, most
of the time they will find companionship somewhere along the trail. The
friendships formed on the trail run deep, forged through aching muscles, rainy
days, and long climbs. When you repeatedly share miles, stories and
encouragement along the way, you become “tramily.” You share both the pain and the victories.
On our last section hike, New Hampshire and Maine, we had more
opportunity to develop friendships with our fellow hikers. The small group that we entered the 100-Mile
Wilderness with became close as we excitedly anticipated the summit to Katahdin
in the next few days. It was
a joyous occasions that we wanted to share.
God did not intend for us to live our lives alone. He made us to thrive when we are connected to
others. Being engaged in community helps
us to be the best we can be physically, mentally, and spiritually. The cord of
three strands is referring to you, God, and the other person. These three strands make a cord that is
strong and not easily broken.
Reflections