Tuesday, February 21, 2012

the other side of impossible


The Highline Trail is at the top of Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park.  A single-file trail with a sheer drop-off on one side but one of the most breathtaking views on this planet.  Definitely not a place for anyone with the slightest fear of heights.  (Seeing mountain goats in the parking lot is a bad sign.)



And I’m standing on it in full panic.  Trying not to cry.  Shallow, rapid breathing.  I can’t do it!  I have been holding in check my fear of falling down the cliff for a good half mile of the hike already, and now I have to walk through a tiny waterfall that crosses the narrow path.  It’s literally only a few steps, but the rocks are slippery from the water, and I am terrified of falling.


This should make you laugh.  My husband and two children have already crossed easily and stand cheering me on from the other side of this massive waterfall that covers three feet of ground.  But I.  Cannot.  Move.

Impossible.  I’m very, very seriously considering turning around and heading back to the car.

Fighting the stomach-roiling panic, I finally reach for my husband’s hand (yes, it’s close enough to touch) and step across.  I make it to the other side. 

The Devil is the Father of lies (John 8:44).  He manifests himself as a cliff and water-covered rocks.
He is the You Can’t.

He is the Turn Back.

He is the You’ll Fall.

He is the "You can't write.  Why start a blog?  Who in the world would want to read your thoughts?  They'll think you're stupid.  You'll never go anywhere with your writing, so why even try.  Nobody but your mom is going to read it."

This blog post is written from the other side of impossible.

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."  (Philippians 4:13)

3 comments:

  1. Beautifully written and right to my heart! LOVED the pictures! Can you believe I took my babies on that trail? What was I thinking?? :)

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    1. Yes, what were you thinking!!!! Why did I post hiking pictures on a day when it's snowing? Come on, summer!

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