Roots, Ruts, and Rocks

The recent passing of my mother has reminded me of yet another “lesson from the trail.” The lesson of roots, ruts, and rocks.

Someone once said that those of us who long for heaven run the risk of being so “heavenly minded that we are no earthly good.” My mother had the perfect balance of heaven mindedness and earthly focus; knowing that the finish line lay ahead, but if we don’t focus on the step in front of us, we are not likely to make it there in one piece.

Several years ago my husband Greg and I took a hiking trip through New England in the autumn. The route we took in New Hampshire was the aptly named, Frankenstein Cliffs. Now, I don’t remember why they were named that, or who they may have been named for, but it was certainly a MONSTER of a hike. The path ran out of “path-ness” (the quality of being “path-like”) about a mile into the hike, and turned in to literally nothing but miles and miles of roots, ruts, and rocks. Now, let me just state here, that we never finished the hike, and thus, never experienced the cliffs – my sense of humor, sense of adventure, and sense of niceness ran out quickly; but, I did learn some lessons along the way.

The trouble with roots, ruts, and rocks is that they conspire to trip, twist, and injure. Individually they are hazards; together they are trip enders. Like the daily worries and cares that distract us from the bigger plan of our lives, roots will grab your toes as you jaunt along, their twisted gnarls reaching out to trip your every step. Ruts are more insidious. As you hike along, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the world around you, oblivious to their threat, they are the unexpected pitfalls and difficulties that suddenly throw us off balance, twisting feet and ankles, buckling our legs and stride, thrashing us to the ground. Then, there are the rocks. Huge obstacles that must be climbed over, negotiated around, and if possible, avoided. They can block our way, or injure us – leaving us scraped, punctured, and bloodied. 

When we encounter a path fraught with roots, ruts, and rocks we may be tempted to give up; but then we will never reach the purpose for our journey.  Or, we keep our heads down, carefully avoiding each obstacle and hindrance; but then we miss the breathtaking views – which after all is the point of the trail. And if we focus only on the finish – our minds set only on the glorious end, our thoughts lost in the clouds, we will most likely find ourselves tripped up, twisted around, and unexpectedly facedown in the dirt. The key is perspective. Inspired by the destination, but focused on the step ahead, we will finish the path, cross the line, and view the breathtaking cliffs.

Along the Frankenstein trail, I learned the importance of depending on the solid walking stick I picked up along the way, (I called it “Ole’ Hickory” – no, it probably wasn’t really hickory, but the name seemed mildly amusing at the time) the guidance of a good map, and the encouragement of my hiking companion, my husband. In the midst of our life’s “Frankenstein trails” we will also need to reach out for the support that comes from relying on the solidity of our faith, the guidance of the Word of God, and the encouragement that comes from true Christ-focused fellowship. 

My mother exemplified, modeled, and lived well this balance. During her 92 years, she encountered the joys and pain of a life well lived. The hardship of poverty, as well as the complicated joy of raising 5 children, and influencing 20 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. She suffered the pain of losing loved ones, including several babies, a grandchild, and my Dad after 50 years of marriage. She nursed children and friends through illness, loneliness, and hardships. She endured conflict, misunderstanding, and sometimes the cruelty that family and friends can inflict on each other. She negotiated the roots, ruts, and rocks – sometimes tripping, occasionally falling, and now and then enduring injury, but always rising again to fully experience the journey. And she embraced it all with faith, grace, and a healthy dose of humor. Always inspired by the prospect of heaven, she never failed to see the importance of the daily journey well travelled. 

Thanks mom!