Trail Truth 2—A Walk Uphill

The adventure continues! First, here’s a summary of each day so far. I (Sherry) will provide that at the top each week. Below that, you’ll really enjoy Gene’s learning along the way. (His words are in blue.) Let’s go!

Wednesday, June 10 and Thursday, June 11
Los Angeles, CA to Columbus, OH
2,000 miles – Fly

It was a beautiful day to fly out of Los Angeles, just as the sun was rising. And we took a neighbor that we had just met along for the ride. Such a “coincidence” she needed to get to LAX at the same time we did! God inspired that hook up, I believe (Hebrews 13:2).

That evening, Gene, Rich, Vera, and their son Michael, enjoyed dinner together, and then they let me in on the fellowship by video call. I could see God’s blessings MAGNIFIED because Gene and Rich were encouraged greatly just by finally being together. The big hike was really happening!

Friday, June 12 and Saturday, June 13
Columbus, OH to Albany, NY to Dalton, MA
650 miles – Drive

Road trip! Rich, Vera, and Gene drove to the trail head with an overnight pit-stop at a hotel in Albany, New York. At the trail head, they got me on the phone and Vera gave a most lovely blessing on the whole venture with references to the light of God Who lights our way and directs our steps with the light of His love inside us (Psalms 119:105). Then she was off, on a non-stop drive home. Thanks, Vera!

Saturday, June 13
Hike through Cheshire to Mark Noepel Shelter
Altitude: 1200 ft. to 3200 ft.
13 miles – Hike

Then the big hike began—with a pack on the back! Gene and Rich blessed a few people along the way, but the most unusual meeting was with Paul and Elizabeth who were hiking the trail barefoot! At the end of the first day, Gene wrote this nifty poem.

Up and Down
Rocks and roots and snakes and sun,
Here with God, it’s just begun.
Snakes and sun and roots and rocks,
God is our strength with Christ our Rock!

Sunday, June 14
Hike to Wilbur’s Clearing on Mt. Greylock
Altitude: 3200 ft. to 3489 ft.
6 miles – Hike

On their way up, Gene and Rich passed through Cheshire. This historical town of mostly dairy farmers, boasted of making a giant block of cheese that weighed over 1,200 pounds. They presented it to the President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, in 1801.

Our boys then continued up to spend the night on the highest peak in Massachusetts, Mt. Greylock. The shelter, made of wood slats, provided meager protection from the elements. But they were very thankful for a place to rest. Gene sent me these words of wisdom:

Proverbs 30:7-9:
Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:
Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

The next morning (about 2 a.m. my time, 5 a.m. their time), Gene texted me this morsel of wisdom:

Hiking along a mountain ridge, there are a lot of ups and downs. It takes a lot of energy to go up, which makes sense. But going downhill can be even more challenging, especially when there are so many rocks and roots along the trail. But if you take one step at a time, you get to the top. It may take a breather or two, but you eventually reach the summit.

Going down a steep incline takes extra diligence. Going up or down, EVERY step is vital. Also watching for trail signs is the difference between getting where you want to go, and backtracking.

Hiking is a lot like living with the Father. He shows us where to go in the Word, and works within us (Philippians 2:13). Plus, He gave us the greatest example in Jesus Christ (Hebrews 12:2-4).

When it seems that going “downhill” is easy, we need to slow down and not move so quickly that we forget our heavenly Father. And on the “uphills”, we don’t rely on our own ability or understanding (Proverbs 3:5,6). The best place is to walk with the Father.

Have a blessed day walking one step at a time with the heavenly Father!

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