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| overlooking the Willie Wildlife Refuge pond 15 December |
The southern Adirondacks had about 3 inches of snow on the ground in many spots.....and most of the lakes and ponds are frozen although not with thick ice yet. As Winter is approaching in just a few days, I felt thankful to be able to get to the mountains for an easy hike in the forest before we get the "real" snow. (the deep stuff when some roads are not even open up there!)
Gazing out over the frozen stillness, I didn't realize my friend Ping was taking my picture. She said it looked like I was meditating. And in a sense, I was. I was reflecting on how thankful I was to have a new hiking friend who can pretty much be spontaneous and loves nature as much as I do. I met her through my church. She sees God in nature like I do. We are a good match: sometimes she's slower than me and doesn't mind; sometimes I'm hiking slower than she is and she doesn't mind waiting at intersections for me to catch up; and most of the time we are just walking side by side or with each other in a line. Either way, I'm thankful for any friend who likes to hike!
This day of hiking reminded me of the hope we have in Christ. It reminded me that as the Advent season draws to a close and we celebrate Jesus' birthday on the 25th, that we have a God who walked on this earth. He lived!! and He still lives next to the Father in heaven and one day....one day, He will return. He became flesh!
I keep thinking about how we have our hiking boots and He had His sandals. But He, like us, walked on trails of dust, and on trails in the mountains. He went with friends and He went alone. He modeled meditation and prayer for us in His Father's creation. And today He is with us if we are true disciples of Him. When we accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord over our lives, we are changed. We have Him wherever we go. He knows everything about us....our fears, our struggles, our hopes and our dreams.
I thank Him for coming into this world to shine His Light and I hope and pray that as we move forward into 2024, that we all can shine His Light and allow the Word to guide our paths, wherever we go.
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| deep forest of Willie Wildlife Refuge near Caroga Lake, NY |
3 comments:
My parents lived in the Adirondacks in a little town called Indian Lake, in Hamilton county. They had 5 acres on a lake.
Lovely post, Faith. So glad you found a new hiking friend who appreciates God's handiwork in nature. I do enjoy our Marco Polo messages. Hope you have a great day!
happyone!! We have camped in years past up in Indian Lake and have kayaked on Adirondack and Abanaki lakes there in the village. It's a lovely part of the central ADK region! So have you been there, as well?
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