“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” (Psalm 37:23-24 NIV)
Over the past few weeks, the amount of snow that we have experienced has exceeded what we experienced last year, and perhaps the year before too. The wide sidewalks and part of a main street near my neck of the woods have been covered with deep snow for several days now. Snowplows have been up and down the street, driving to the tune of the “wheels on the truck go round and round.” But apparently the mounds of snow were resistant and could not be removed from the total width of the normal traffic lanes. Hence, new narrow lanes have been created, a temporary situation until the snow melts. The old lane lines, both the yellow and the white lines have little meaning in the meantime. It is driving the lane warning technology in my car crazy. It does not know what to think! I am
telling you, drivers have to pay careful attention. Pedestrians have to walk with their eyes wide open, being cautious to avoid getting too close to cars where drivers are trying to navigate through the makeshift lanes and of course the many drivers who are not abiding by the handsfree law and who might “accidentally,” suddenly endanger other cars and walkers like the father and his son.
As I am driving, doing my best to follow the dry pavement without easing over into the oncoming traffic, I see in my peripheral vision a grown man, the father I am supposing, walking in front of his young son. Typically, outside in the snow would be fun for the son, but the cold temperature and the chilly winds have robbed the son of any fun. His facial expressions reveal his feelings about the outing. He was on a mission with his father. Both are carrying bags of groceries, white plastic sacks looped around their arms and loaded with purchases. They are obviously heading home. The father’s steps are in a perfect stride, maintaining a cadence as if he had a metronome hidden in his winter garb. Each step is the same distance from the previous step. His motion is without flaw. That is an example of consistency for you. What seems natural and easy for him is not so easy for the son. He has to almost jump to step into the footsteps of the father who purposely forged ahead, creating an easier path for the son. Once the son fell, but no need to worry. The father constantly checking on his son, looked back, saw that he had fallen, and immediately stooped down to help his child continue the journey they were making together. The slow, backed up traffic did not let me observe any further as I drove down the street. But I had seen enough.
The father’s actions were impressive, and they instantly made me think about our Heavenly Father who makes a path for us to follow in times that are both challenging and difficult and I know He constantly watches over us; the Father who will never leave us or forsake us and thus the travel through life is one where we are with Him, together. Now I am only speculating, but I believe that the father I saw was intentionally teaching his son some lessons with unspoken words. Lessons such as: (1) “A father cannot let any obstacles keep you, hinder you from taking care of your household, a lesson to remember and to be found richly valuable when you get older.” (2) “Son, when you become a man; when you have your own family, you must persevere in the environment you live in, push on in any surroundings, and press forward regardless, even if the conditions are tough or treacherous, and in spite that such conditions tend to make others abandon their duties in regard to taking care of their family.” Hopefully, the father, was inspired to teach two figurative, no, let us say two spiritual development lessons aloud once they got home; lessons from the walk in the snow classroom: (1) “The Heavenly Father above will order your steps and all you have to do is follow the way He sets before you. Note: He is able to keep you from failing.” (2) You can follow in the steps of God the Son, Jesus the Christ, to ensure that you stay on the path, the narrow path of righteousness.
Did I get all that in a brief moment? Did I get all that from a father and son’s walk in the snow? Yes, I did. I believe if we stay God conscious, we will see in the normal and everyday things of life, lessons that will keep our mind stayed on the Lord and keep our steps headed in the right direction. Have a great Tuesday my friend! Walk safely and securely with the Lord as your guide. He will shepherd you in the right direction. Be blessed!
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:1-3 NKJV)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King