The weather has been above freezing during the day for several days in a row! Most of the boardwalks have been revealed, I've even found stairs where there had been only flat snow.
This morning I donned rainpants and boots, knowing that hipwaders might actually be more appropriate for the walk to church this morning. I was tempted to try the shortcut across the snow, but headed out the long way round on the safety of the boardwalk.
The wooden boardwalk is uneven in spots, with patches of ice and snow that have survived the warmer temperatures. I found myself looking down at each step I took, analyzing exactly when my next footfall should be. Lost in this intense scrutiny, I lost sight of the boardwalk.
There was a long stretch that was still covered with snow. I pressed on in the direction that I had been headed, and completely missed the turn that would take me out to my intended destination. When I finally looked up, I realized what had happened and recharted my course. It occurred to me that I do this in my life walk as well... focusing in on each step instead of looking up and forward.
Now that I was headed in the right direction and looking up, I scanned across the water-laden tundra for my destination. I could not see the now familiar white building across the tundra for the fog that shrouded me. I was tempted to turn back and head home.
I reminded myself of the truth of the matter.
The church was there. I just couldn't see it.
With new resolve, I strode down that boardwalk, looking up despite the obscured goal. I tried to combine looking ahead with careful steps, and couldn't help thinking about my future plans and how I could apply another practical lesson learned on a walk to church.
"Let your eyes look straight ahead;
Fix your gaze directly before you." Proverbs 4:25
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