Fair Warnings

During this stay-at-home sheltering time with the pandemic COVID-19, my husband and I will head out to Swayback Trail in Wetumpka to get a little outdoor exercise. We will hike 4 miles of the second half of the red trail because it, blessedly so, has two sections we just love from a nature standpoint: a beautiful gully where a small stream winds through woods and ferns and a part where it hugs the coast of Lake Jordan. As there are few hiking and folks are well spread out along the trails, it's easy to maintain good social distancing. It's been not only a wonderful respite from being indoors so much but also a time of worship for us as we delight in God's creation. Since we've walked this trail some in winter and now in spring, we've marveled at the change in seasons. We saw through the barren trees to all areas of the trail in winter, but now the spring green leaves and growing brush have filled in the many gaps.

When you are hiking, it's different than if you are just walking around your neighborhood because you spend most of your time looking down. You do this so you don't trip over the many roots or rocks along the path. Any occasional glance up can lead to a potential stumble, and we've both done it. Because you are focused so much on the trail in front of you, you can miss the beauty of the expanse around you. I stop often to admire everything that is around me. As my husband is typically behind me (he's 10 inches taller than me and can see over me), he has commented that he wished I had brake lights. I probably need one of those bumper stickers that says, "Makes frequent stops."

Recently we noticed that someone had come by with red paint and painted a number of the protruding roots and stones. It made seeing them much easier when hiking. However, making any changes or unauthorized improvements to the trail is prohibited unless working through the Trail of Legends Association. TOLA doesn't want the environment impacted negatively through possible changes no matter how well intentioned. But I couldn't help but notice the analogy of it all in today's times, with our proactive efforts (self-isolating, masks, hand washing) to protect us all from potential risks.

We live during a season where we are taking one step at a time of late. Wondering how long we will be stuck at home, will we get sick, when can some of us work away from home again or work at all, wondering when we can visit each other, shake hands and hug. Our eyes are on the immediate trail in front of us as we navigate the obstacles along the way, with the occasional stop to grasp what's going on in the world around us. In the midst of this season, we celebrate our greatest holiday ever: the resurrection of our Messiah, the one Whose blood covered all my sins in the most horrific of deaths so that I could enter eternity with Him and be with my Father, praise His Name.

No matter what trail in this life we're on, no matter what our obstacles to faith, the things we've tripped over on this journey of life, Our Savior has covered it all with His blood, His sacrifice. When I have asked for forgiveness for my sins, He has granted it. Because of that, we can see our way to God so much clearer. That doesn't mean the occasional root won't trip me up, but I have the capability now, thanks to Jesus Christ, to repent and be made clean. Glory to God for Him. And it is because of Him that I am more easily able to navigate those stumbling blocks as they come.

Unauthorized or not, I am thankful for the red painted roots and rocks. While maybe not aesthetically pleasing, I've been able to look up and around me a lot more frequently to enjoy the view and lose my footing less often. And in a time when we're not quite sure what the trail ahead holds, it's nice to at least know that where you are now, has fair warnings. And to know on this Easter Day, Christ has me covered regardless.