Standing by the lake I am ready to walk. I’m hesitant, full of anxieties, but ready to go. The lake is not the beautiful place I had imagined, it is dark, flat and lifeless. Like a limp cloth, waiting for the wind to blow and bring it life. I feel a little shudder as a sudden breeze carried a light spray of rain, with a jolt I start walking.
The children chatter, running and laughing – tinkling wind chimes dancing in the breezy sunshine. It makes the walk easier, but still the lake seems dark. No memories of sights, sounds or smells, just the need to keep going.
Then the lake is gone and instead the tumbling of water over rocks and stones and through trees; echoing like the beating of a large empty drum, hollow, heavy and slow. The gradient immediately sharpens and sitting waiting in the path are the bags for the day, heavy with the things I think I need to carry. One sack I but on my back the other on my front – I’m looking for balance. I start to climb, but not alone. Its good to have someone to walk with, it makes it easier to keep going and carry the weight.
We all move forward heading for a peak we must get to, but do not know and cannot see yet. Then a sack is gone, taken by another who is willing to share the load. Although the path is steep the climb is easier now, I look back at the lake.
The perspective of distance has softened it and the occassional glint of sunshine brings light to it’s dark surface. I press on.
A sigh releases something inside and the second sack is lifted away. The climb tests my strength and endurance, but I am not alone and the struggle does not consume every sense. I have time to admire the beauty of the alpine flowers, so easily ignored and crushed underfoot – unoticed. I feel the gentle warm breeze hugging at the ground and taking the essence of this place over the crest of the mountain – life for where ever it blows.
We have climbed so high we are nearly at the peak. When I look back to the lake, it is full of the reflections of the mountains all around, and light bounces off its’ surface in all directions. I can see not just my mountain, my climb, but many others and the lake that was full of forboding, draining and lifeless - is beautiful.
We have climbed so high we are nearly at the peak. When I look back to the lake, it is full of the reflections of the mountains all around, and light bounces off its’ surface in all directions. I can see not just my mountain, my climb, but many others and the lake that was full of forboding, draining and lifeless - is beautiful.
karen....how lovely...reading beyond the words I guess you are also making reference to Jesus who carries our burdens for us??...
ReplyDeleteI will need to learn how to do photos too...you are so gifted at this kind of thing.
I will look forward to the next meeting.
Thank you Karen for sharing this with us. Even without the photograph you are able to paint the emotional and physical landscape so well. I felt that there were elements of Pilgrim's Progress and Hind's Feet on High Places here as you have described your spiritual growth.
ReplyDeleteThe climb against the pull of gravity expresses our struggle against the flesh, and the weight of sin, guilt and anxiety that we carry. I loved the fact that you did not name the bag carrier-it made me think of the relief I have felt when a heavy object is taken off me-like carrying shopping and stopping every ten steps with hands in agony or struggling at an airport with an impossible suitcase.
There is a passage in Galations 6 about how we each have our own load but we are to carry each other's burdens-there are some things just to heavy to take alone. In Matthew 11 Jesus invites us to come to Him the burden bearer.
The climb is worth the view from the top. Wonderful-write more-keep that gift flowing! Jacqui
As its a time of fasting and praying I have been able to clear my days so I have more time to do some writing and some reading. One of my aims over the next couple of days is to write up my "observation" homework, plus write in my blog. I have decided to come at my homework from a slightly different angle in that I am going to write it up as a very short story...so hope thats okay?? As I have the time I thought I would experiment a bit with some untried ideas and push myself out of my comfort zone. I am also trying very hard to be very good with my actual typing e.g. using capitals and some full stops etc.
ReplyDeleteIrene, that sounds like a good idea. I set these tasks to be a spark to ignite you-some will be useful and explosive-other tasks you will find are just a puff. Part of the learning of a craft is through discipline and grafting away at things so I eagerly await your short story. I am yet to write up mine or my bible studies.....they are on my list though! Jacqui
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