Hiking in Pearls

Month: November 2025

  • Seeking Signs: Understanding God’s Love While Hiking

    Seeking Signs: Understanding God’s Love While Hiking

    The Lord called me out to the woods in the early fall.

    I had several apprehensions about going.

    It was a new trail. Therefore, I didn’t know what to expect.

    It was after lunch. Time, I felt was not on my side.

    Our spin in the cosmos was causing the sun to sink behind the hills much earlier in the day already.

    Yet, He beckoned to me.

    I went.

    Acorns fell all around me. I thought about the deer that roam these woods, and how much they like to eat them.

    I spoke aloud, “Lord, would You prove Your love for me and send me some deer?”

    I quickly followed it with, “Never mind. You don’t need to send me deer to prove You love me. You already proved it by sending Your Son.”

    This was a new place for me. It saddens me to admit that repeatedly, since becoming a Christian, I have asked my Heavenly Father to prove His love for me by sending me signs.

    I spent the remainder of the hike in His presence and remembering that I am deeply loved by Him.

    When I came upon the arch, it felt like a sanctuary.

    It took the setting sun to pull me from the woods and retrace the trail back to my car.

    Leaving this place was hard, but praise God I didn’t have to leave His presence. Even now He is walking with me.

    Every.

    Single.

    Moment.

    He proves His love for me with every breath I take.

    I never did see any deer that day, but I have seen them since. On two occasions. They are profoundly, meaningful to me considering the satiations in my life at those moments.

    I want to ask, where are you on the trail, Friend?

    Do you question where God’s love is? Are you looking for a sign?

    Let this be it,

    But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NKJV

    Oh, how He loves YOU!

    Revelation 13:8 speaks of the Lamb (Jesus) that was slain before the foundation of the world.

    God’s love for you has always been! His love for you was there even before the world was created.

    That’s good news!

    Yes, you are that important to the Creator.

    Today let the meditation of your heart be on His love for you.

    His Great Love, that was poured out before time began…

  • Climbing Ladders and Building Faith

    Climbing Ladders and Building Faith

    I hung up Christmas lights today.

    Scared.

    With Christmas lights in hand, I stood at the bottom of the ladder and looked up at the eve of the house. It’s for the boys, I coaxed myself.

    By the fifth rung my extended ladder bounced like I was standing in a boat bobbing on the waves. I thought of the rock I wedged under one foot of the ladder to stabilize it before my climb. I hope it doesn’t slip off that rock. My knees began to quiver. I can’t do this. We will be fine without lights. I scurried down faster than a mouse after cheese.

    With the solid ground below my feet my knees began to still. I looked back up the ladder. People do this all the time.

    “Jesus, will I be safe?” I asked aloud.

    “Yes.” I heard His still small voice.

    Trusting Jesus gave me the courage I needed to climb the ladder again. In all honesty, I was still scared but trusting my Savior this time.

    What if I fall?

    Doubt tried to stir in my mind.

    Well, it’s not that high so I probably won’t get hurt too bad.

    I trusted that no matter what happened, I was going to be okay.

    I hung all the lights I could within arm’s reach.

    Once I was off the ladder, I wrestled it over a couple of feet and rested it back into place against the house.

    Steady.

    Additional relief rushed in from not needing the rock this time. This climb was easier. I was no longer scared.

    Fear gave way to Faith.

    I believe that The Lord uses all things to prepare us for the good works He has ordained in advance for us (Ephesians 2:10).

    Even Christmas lights and wobbly ladders.

    I learned today that I can do hard things, even when I’m scared.

    In a far more intimate way, I relearned what the scripture means when it says, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

    It’s all about Faith in Christ, no matter the situation.

    What about you friend? Where is God calling you to leave fear and step out in faith?