Tired Legs

We packed up the campsite. Then my five-year-old daughter, Alison, and I trekked down the mountain to the fishing lake.

I was awed by the majesty of God’s creation. The towering pines stood as sentries, allowing us to catch a glimpse of the magnificent panorama around us.

Without averting my gaze, I said to Alison, ‘Isn’t this beautiful?’

‘Well,’ she said, ‘not when your legs are tired.’

I realised that while my eyes were lifted in awe, Alison’s eyes were fixed on the difficult path.

We all have times when our legs are so tired we can’t see the beauty around us.

The wearisome path of life may involve dealing with a difficult relationship, caring for an aged parent, struggling through loss, attempting to juggle too many responsibilities, trying to stay afloat financially.

Whatever lies on the difficult path, Christ bids us, ‘Come to me.’

When we come to God in prayer and daily Bible reading, we learn from the Spirit and we feel God’s hand, lifting our chin upward, taking the focus away from our tired legs and allowing us to marvel at the magnificent beauty surrounding us.

The difficult path will remain, but our perspective will change and we will be blessed by the view.

Prayer: Thank you, God, for lifting our burdens and giving rest to our souls. Help us to fix our eyes on you, through Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice gives us peace. Amen