On one of our hikes we ended up being hit by a hail storm. We were another half mile or so from the peak hike and with the dark skies ahead, we decided to turn back and not finish the hike.

For people who know me well, and who have walked (and now run) with me, know I am the girl who needs to hit the end line and then turn to go back to where I started. Stopping short of the mark makes me feel uncomfortable on the inside. I knew not finishing this hike was not what I wanted but what was what we needed to do.

On the walk down we came to a section the trail that was steep, narrow, and slippery. As we turned the corner there was a woman on the ground. I asked if she needed help and she said yes. I held her hand and guided her to her feet. Then she told me her daughter was stuck too. So Stephen helped the woman and I helped the daughter walk down the slippery slope.

(Please know I am not sharing this because we helped them, but because of what God taught me through this.)

If I had followed my pride, we would have continued on the hike to get to the end. But wisdom won and we turned around, as humbling as that was for me.

By following wisdom instead of my own desires, we were able to be there to help this mother and daughter navigate their way down after they had been stuck there for a while.

I share this with you today as we all get detoured from our plans. Yet what if our detours were God’s way of allowing us to be His hands and feet to lend a hand to someone else who had a need?

I invite you to join me today to…

pause. breathe. pray.™

When our plans get derailed or we need to take a detour, may we take a deep breath and let go of the tension that causes within us. And in its place, may we turn to God and pray for Him to show us on this new path if there is some place He is guiding us to be a vessel of His love towards others.

With love and hope,
Shawn

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps- Proverbs 16:9