Surefooted Little One
I am grateful that our paths have connected here today as we continue Traveling Home Together.
May this sharing bless and bring a sense of encouragement within your heart in the midst of it all.
Whatever the "midst of it all" may be for you at this time on your journey.
I found myself lacing up my walking shoes and heading out the front door once again, looking forward to my time together with God.
Time which was much needed as many things continue to rest on my heart.
Do you find that many things are resting on your heart as well?
There was a sense felt within to take our walk together this time the opposite way.
To begin our walk where it would normally end.
The Lord has been speaking with me about planting a seed and walking away.
Leaving it with Him to water it in His time, not mine.
When this thought came to mind, to begin our walk where it would normally end, it felt as if a seed had been planted.
Honestly, my first thought was if the walk were to be taken this way it would be mostly uphill.
With this thought, was hesitation.
There has been the sense of, “fighting an uphill battle", as it has been many weeks, finding myself struggling with health issues without much reprieve in between.
With this, there was an uncertainty within if I had the energy, or even wanted to attempt walking up another hill placed before me at this time.
My body was feeling tired and weary once again, as was my mind.
All the more reason this walk and visit with The Lord was so greatly needed.
Grateful that my thinking mind did not take over and talk me out of taking the harder road, even though walking the road the familiar way would have been much easier.
When one follows God, we are called to walk the road less traveled.
Often the familiar, easier, well-traveled path is not the path which we are meant to be taking, although it can be tempting to go that way at times.
"Enter through the narrow gate because the wide and broad path is the way that leads to destruction-nearly everyone chooses that crowded road! The narrow gate and difficult way leads to eternal life-so few even find it!"
-Matthew 7: 13-14
This may just be the time in which God wants to continue strengthening and stretching our spiritual muscles more for reasons unknown to us at this moment when we are led to travel the unfamiliar way.
Yes, the way less traveled where the road is narrow.
And even uphill.
Deciding to take my camera, which is not normal for me, I placed it in a small bag with a thin strap, tossing it over my shoulder.
The walk began.
Soon I found myself making my way up the first hill placed before me.
Before us.
Not long into this uphill journey, the thin strap on my bag broke, which led me to place the camera around my neck.
There was the thought that this was going to make this walk even more challenging.
For those that have a camera with a lens attached, you know it is bulky as well as slightly odd-shaped.
Walking most of the distance, uphill with a camera around my neck, well… this was not part of my plan either.
However, it was soon to be realized that it was part of His.
“The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.”
-Proverbs 16:9
Together, The Lord and I climbed the first hill to round a corner where another hill was seen before us.
The words, "Oh my goodness, another hill", along with a few more words quickly entered my mind as my body was fatigued.
Taking a moment to rest and breathe, finding myself looking behind me as I stood at the top of the first hill that had just been climbed.
Admiring the beautiful view of the grassy fields below filled with corn stalks. The hugging tree standing firmly with many green leaves attached to the extended branches and the lake is seen with rolling hills in the background.
My heart felt so much gratitude remembering the many moments in time which The Lord has carried me when there was no strength within myself to walk alone.
Let alone climb a hill, small or big that had been placed before me.
When you take time to reflect on your journey, are you able to see the times that He has carried you when you did not have the strength?
Today we were walking together.
Side by side.
Sharing our hearts as we climbed the hills together.
Even though there is a knowing that He already knows what is resting on my heart just as He knows what is resting on yours, it feels so good to share with Him.
And with this sharing, a longing rises from within to know what is on His heart.
There is a longing felt in His heart, as there is in ours.
Turning back forward, looking at the hill ahead, the next stretch of the journey began.
And oh yes, the stretching was certainly being felt in many ways.
Glancing over toward a meadow, a small puddle of water was seen, noticing a few small frogs enjoying the sunshine in the mud.
Remembering the camera was now around my neck, made it easy to turn it on to take a picture.
While trying to get the camera in focus as I was studying these small frogs and taking more time to rest, a noise was heard.
It was the sound of a faint cry.
Looking up, this little deer covered in white spots had walked up and was seen standing before me.
Looking at me with its dark eyes and nose.
It was such an amazing sight!
We both looked at one another with a sense of curiosity and wonder.
Unsure which one of us was more curious, the little one or me.
This little one continued to make a faint sound of a cry as I softly spoke, asking where its mother was.
We were left communicating in the ways which were familiar to each of us, however somehow there was an understanding.
Nature sure does have a way doesn't it.
Able to speak many languages all of its own when we allow ourselves to take time to listen.
Wondering if we could get slightly closer, I slowly began to move while continuing to softly speak.
It was then our visit drew to a close.
The surefooted little one turned as it so beautifully and effortlessly leaped through the grass in the meadow toward the forest.
It stopped at the tree line before entering, looking back towards me as if to acknowledge our time together.
This was such a beautiful encounter and sight.
Had the walk began the familiar way, the visit with this surefooted little one may not have occurred.
These pictures of this little one, unable to be captured and shared.
After taking in a few moments to process what just occurred, I found myself looking up at the next hill placed before me to climb.
This hill no longer looked the same, as my thoughts were engulfed on the little one and our encounter.
Since the walk and climbing the hills, there was a sense which led me to look up scriptures about deer, leading me to Psalm 18:33.
“He makes me surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.”
“The phrase “surefooted as a deer” can have multiple meanings, including: living above one's circumstances, escaping enemies and gaining freedom, keeping one's eyes focused on Jesus, running with endurance, and refusing to give up until God calls one home.”
When hills that often feel like mountains are placed before us on our travels home together, may we remember where to keep our eyes focused.
On Jesus.
For He makes us surefooted as this little deer, enabling us to stand on mountain heights, where we are able to see from a different perspective.
A higher perspective which is so greatly needed.
Where we are never left standing alone.
A sense of freedom is found which this world we live in is unable to provide, however, He is able.
With love,
Kimberly
Continued prayers for all struggling in ways that many do not see. ♡🙏♡
I am grateful our paths have connected for a few moments here today. May God speak to your heart in ways which you may be in need, as He so graciously does for me, as we continue Traveling Home Together.
This is wonderful. Such a special time.
I know that climb well! Thanks for sharing comfort and inspiration to keep climbing.