Saturday, while walking down the Chief Ladiga Trail I could not help but notice that preparations for improving the condition of the trail are in progress.  The trail has been widened, bush hogged, in places the trail has been made much smother and the burned out bridge has been replaced.  Progress was definitely in the air as I walked down this primitive path hidden so perfectly in this vast forest.

           It was along this path that I noticed this tall slender plant bent over in the cold February wind of North Alabama.  I took a moment to observe and photograph this lonely plant I named Slim.  I become aware of others like him scattered along this stretch of trail that were not thriving as well as Slim.  Some had been cut down by the bush hog that had cleared the underbrush from the pathway, others had snapped under the stress of the strong winds blowing through this area and others simply had not thrived in the harsh elements.

           As I stood there admiring Slims steadfast posture and the way he so gracefully swayed in the strong winds that blew this day I began to realize that we have a lot in common with Slim and his friends.  First, we too are faced with many obstacles, hardships, problems, storms and things that will try to knock us down.  Adversity is a fact of life.  We have no special immunity from trouble and every day that we live is full of many potential problems.  There are very few certainties that touch us all in this mortal experience, but one of the absolutes is that we will experience hardship and stress at some point.

           While we do have the promise of a safe landing we are never promised a calm passage through the seas of life.  But what we do have is better than immunity.  We have the guarantee that we do not have to face our problems alone.  And we have the promise that all things will work together for our good when we face them with the proper attitude.  In fact when we face our problems correctly, they only make us stronger, healthier and better equipped to meet the opportunities of life.  What we call adversity, the Master calls opportunity.

Something to think about:

• Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.

• We are always in the forge, or on the anvil; by trials we are being shaped for higher and better things.

• Tough times never last, but tough people do.

• There is no situation so chaotic that our Lord cannot from that situation create something that is surpassingly good. He did it at the creation. He did it at the cross. He is doing it today.

• It is trial that proves one thing weak and another strong. A house built on the sand is in fair weather just as good as if built upon a rock. A cobweb is as good as the mightiest cable when there is no strain upon it.

• If our Master sends us on stony paths, he will provide us with strong shoes.

Thankful for my strong shoes
Rickey Moore