sidewalk...

She stepped onto the sidewalk and started on her way, at first just toddling, steps excited and sporadic.

Each new one brought such joy and surprise. There were flowers to pick and bright, green grass to smell. The air was warm and the sun shone above brightly.

Legs grew stronger and her way became faster. The sun shown brightly still and pine needles danced in the wind. Rain showers came, and with them was always a rainbow of promise after.

The sidewalk narrowed.

The walking space became smaller due to the mounds of ice and snow. The ice though clear and beautiful at times could be so very sharp and cold. If not careful it would cut and leave wounds deep.

Her steps were forced to be slower, cumbered steps that only came with great effort.

The snow sparkling and beautiful comforted and blanketed the ice, hiding many times the ugliness and threat.

Up ahead the sidewalk appeared changed, it was clear and shining , she forged ahead quickly, ready for the run once again!

What came was a shock. Her footing was lost, she slipped and slid out of control, ICE! Ice that was black and cold,deceiving to the naked eye.

The fall so hard.....it jarred every bone, shook her to her very core.

Only left was a coldness, unable to shake, a loneliness that could not be denied.

Where was the Sun?

Where was her strength?

Her legs lay limp, injured by the fall... wearied by the run.

Thoughts of first steps on the sidewalk enveloped her memory. She missed the joy, longed for the peace and the pureness of new discovery.

Where was this place?

Did this sidewalk really lead to such an unfulfilled dead end?

All at once she was lifted in power and might, though afraid she felt not, she was so comforted by His sight.

His strong steps could not falter though the ice was so thick,

His arms wrapped tightly around her and all was right.

He carried her into a garden so fair,

with birds singing and fireflies dancing all over in delight.

She grew strength in her legs and again in her heart

soon she was ready to seek back out the

"sidewalk"

Again it had changed this time with a light

it was clear

the end she saw was pure and shining

Celestial, bright full of hope and His grace,

her step though careful

were lighter now in this place.

I love to run, even in the winter I strap on ice cleats and run in the snow and ice. While running thoughts of the ,at times, treacherous sidewalk we run on in life made me think. I wrote this for a friend who had a "slippery run" recently,overcoming the fall, in Jesus name she shines, running forward now, it is beautiful, it is an encouragement to me..

Col. 1:9-13 " That ye might walk worthy of the Lord."