Ladders to Climb in the Mountains--One Step at a Time

Yesterday afternoon after the children's schoolwork was done and we weren't needed at the moment to help Jonathan at the remodeling job at the cabin, the three children and I found a trail nearby.

It had various exercise gismos and nature information posts along the way, and there was this Playland Vertical Ladder for children to climb.

I got a kick out of the directions given on the sign near it, as if no child could possibly figure out what to do with that ladder.

"Vertical Ladder," it read."Firmly grasp the ladder rungs, and climb using your hands and feet."

Yet as children of the King, do we not sometimes get in a stew or confused about what to do with something along the path of life?

And really, we just need to do the obvious thing, 

"firmly grasp" the next rung and "climb using your hands and feet."

Yesterday morning while the snow was melting out on the cabin deck,

the children and I (in between school and break times) climbed up and down the logs stairs in the cabin, carrying tools and building materials up and demolished stuff down.

Today again the children carried up lumber and other things for Jonathan.

They were a big help!

 It's amazing the different view from up on top of things in the loft

than from down at the bottom.

 We don't always see what will happen when we take the next step.

Will it lead to a cozy loft?

or to a mountain of work?

To fellowship with others at a full church at a music recital...

or to fellowship with a small ministry in an inner city mission?

We may end up building bathrooms

  instead of bowing to audiences,

and sitting beside burping boys in Kids Club
and working across from mega-size spiders and grinning Jack-o-lanterns

when we would rather be blessed and surrounded by all kinds of people who want us to feel good about ourselves.

Jesus, You never promised an easy road, or a ladder of only one or two rungs.
"But God has promised strength for the day,

 rest for the labor, light for the way.

Grace for each trial, help from above.

 Unfailing kindness, undying love."

Sometimes we find that the words of songs and hymns are the greatest help to us as we 

climb our ladders, build our bathroom walls,

and deal with the aftermath of difficult decisions

when the next rung of the ladder has not always been obvious, yet we have felt obligated to take the next step. 

Even then, on those rungs hidden by clouds and fog, by darkness and uncertainty,

His grace is sufficient, and His promises hold true.