“For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” -Romans 1:20
I spent my Sunday wandering around the amazing wooded trails found less than an hour from my home. These days of late have been colored with heavy burdens for me, and I felt the need to clear my head. Any person in relationship with God can tell you there is an ebb and flow to the conversation. Sometimes it’s just as easy as breathing, and sometimes you struggle to find the words. I was technically in search of a waterfall on my outing today, but most importantly, I was hoping to be in a place that would help me to reignite my easy flow of conversation with my Father.
Fear, hurt, uncertainty. They are tools of separation from God’s grace. And I’ve had a hand full of them recently. As I walked the trail, I talked with Him. Mostly to say, that I didn’t know what to say. That I felt the distance between us, and that I knew it was me. I walked, and analyzed, and walked and analyzed some more. I have a therapists brain, so this is standard for my day to day.
I arrived at the waterfall, with no sense of returning center like I had hoped I would find. Nor any sense of wonder. The noise in my head was louder than ever given the quiet and serenity that surrounded me. I started asking questions, why did these things happen, how will I get past them, what if, what if, what if. The thoughts came faster and faster. Loudly in my mind, as if someone standing next to me had shouted it, I heard STOP. And I did.
TURN AROUND. So, I did. The waterfall was magnificent. The sound of the rushing water, the fragrant warm breeze, the beauty of the water spilling gently over the rocks. I took a deep breath, because it was necessary. Peace invaded me.
I had to laugh, because almost audibly, God had said to me, “Could you calm down for a minute and look at the waterfall? I made beautiful things like this, so that you could enjoy them in moments like these.”
I spent a long time at that waterfall not thinking about anything. Just staring. Marveling, really. I don’t have the answers, but I know the One who does. And today I’m no further ahead of solving my problems than I was yesterday. But, I know I’m not alone. And I know as I walk through this time, there will be one set of footprints. Because He is carrying me.
About the author
Elle Schuler is a follower of Jesus, Student of Mental Health, and Life, Faith, and Adventure Blogger. Schuler lives in the Northeast Georgia Mountains with her dog, Biscuit.
