Tag Archives: Back roads trip

Keep your eyes on the path

Bryan and Marcia Thayer

Bryan and Marcia Thayer

We recently took a relaxed, 3 day agenda-free back roads trip to view the autumn leaves of northern Iowa, southern Minnesota bluff country, and SW Wisconsin. Our goal was to celebrate life together, redeeming the time we have by making life memories, and enjoying God’s creation.

There is something both exhilarating and calming about being surrounded by the beauty of nature. Not just the beauty of the changing leaves, but of the immense creativity and variety of things God has created for his and our pleasure. The trees and flowers, the wildlife, the warmth of holding hands as we hiked, the sound and feel of the gentle forest breeze, Marcia’s loving patience with me as I slowly made my way along the challenging paths… All these speak to a gracious and generous creator who loves us so much to bestow such gifts upon us. Even a walk through a completely spent prairie restoration area, now basically a field of ‘weeds,’ spoke a certain peace to our souls.

On our forest hikes, our eyes were constantly on the watch for the wildlife but also focused on the trail to keep from stumbling over exposed roots and rocks. It served as a reminder to maintain vigilance and awareness of God’s abiding presence all throughout the day’s journey. Our constant awareness of his presence in our lives provides us with his protection with each step we take.

Where do you find real restoration? How does God’s creation speak to your soul? And how does he speak to you as you step through the paths of a common day? May he use those steps to remind you of his abiding presence and how much he cares for you. And may you, in his presence, find great satisfaction!

“Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.” Proverbs 4:26

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.” Romans 1:20

“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” 1 Chron. 16:11