Slow and Steady Climb

Last night I took my kids hiking up a fairly short but steep mountain here in Anchorage. As we progressed up the trail we encountered varying terrain, levels of difficulty and even trail coverage. Trail conditions also were quite different along the way. Some spots were steep. Some areas muddy. The trail was wide in some areas and well cleared, other portions were narrow and crawling with heavy roots. Some places were open while other lengths of the trail were so heavily treed the sun was blocked out. With kids ranging from four to ten years old, there was also quite a disparity in endurance and physical capability in our adventure party.

Despite all the variation in our trek, my encouragement to the band of intrepid explorers was the same – one step at a time, one foot in front of the other. I was reminded our little climb had many parallels to the journey of life, especially during the difficult moments.

Some areas of life are steep and strenuous, with every step challenged and laborious. Our path in life can be muddy and it may seem as if we are sliding back down the hill instead of progressing forward. Sometimes we are struggling through the weeds. At times the trail may be covered in roots that threaten to trip us up and jeopardize our footing. As you struggle through the trials, the thought of how high you still must climb and how long you have yet to go can be overwhelming.

Still, it is one foot in front of the other, just one step at a time. Many people will give up and quit, overwhelmed by the mountain in front of them. The solution is simple but not easy – constantly push forward, even if progress is slow, you keep going. As long as you don’t quit, you will eventually get up through the woods, the weeds and the mud. You will take a look back at your progress and what you have accomplished and notice the view for the first time. It’s breathtaking and magnificent, making every step of the climb more than worth the effort. You’ll get there, just one step at a time.

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