returning

Murphy Lake/Wilcox Lake Wilderness Region
Southern Adirondack Mts

I'm returning once again to a favorite hike...........Saturday, weather permitting, I will be hiking with a long-time friend from my childhood hometown, in one of my favorite regions of the Adirondacks.  It is remote, quiet, "the road less traveled" and just breathtakingly gorgeous on a crisp, autumn day.  

This will be the 9th or 10th time I'm hiking this trail. I first hiked it when I was single, back in the late 1980s.  It is where Dave and I first hiked once we got engaged. My friend, C has never hiked it.  I can't wait for her to see the beauty of the lakes.  I have another friend who hiked it with me last year (the day was very overcast and chilly and it was late in the autumn) who did NOT like the trail. She thought it was boring.  But, really, it is so remote and quiet that for me, it isn't "boring" but rather, a place to return to time and time again to "hear" God.  I hear His whispers in this place.  I sense His presence.  I know it sounds strange and to the world it would sound crazy.  But, since my spiritual temperament is "naturalist", it makes all the sense in the world that this setting is where I feel closest to my Father.  The quietness and easy trail make for a perfect setting of prayer and contemplation.  It isn't the kind of trail where you have to watch your every step.  It is almost like a stroll in the woods.....but it is a long stroll. The entire hike is 7.4 miles.  That's rather long for no summit experience.  The challenge is not in the climb...it doesn't climb much.  The challenge is in the remoteness...the fact that there aren't many hikers doing the trail......the solitude with no cell service.  The lakes that have never seen boats, only beavers and fish. Woods, the wonder of the loon's cry, the wonder of His Presence.........

Why am I returning this year??  I need to "feel" God in my life right now.  I know in my head He leads me.  I know in my heart, He loves me.

Yet, there have been challenges this month that hinder me from feeling totally free....it's hard to explain.

This afternoon, after work, I turned to Hosea 6:1-3.  

photo courtesy of google images

I read this Scripture and thought about how my husband, during his heart attack, was suffering with pain.  And then there was the pain of the wrist being cut open to run the wire to put in the stent for the artery that was blocked.  I marvel at how we sometimes have to go through pain to get to a true healing.  He will have a better heart because of a little pain.  He has to go through this healing process for his body to be right again.

And when we go through trials, we often face some pain......but the healing that results is so complete!  When we return to God.....when we look upon His Face and place our hands in His..........and allow Him to guide, teach, lead and love us.........

that is healing.

And in healing there is freedom.