An Angel on a Park Bench

We all have had moments when we had an angel appear in our lives. Maybe during one of those whoa moments where you knew you had an angel on your side. Like the moment you swerve to avoid hitting something in the road, a split second decision you made where you were amazed you could even think to do that. One of those moments where you could say you had your guardian angel with you.

I've felt bored these past couple of weeks. Bored with the thought of what is and wanting what could be. Bored thinking about the adventures - work, spiritual and fun - I want to be out doing, while tired of planning the ones I will set out for this year, just not during these winter months. I've felt smothered, and weighed down, by the confines of an office. Scared by the reality of not being able to explore as much as I should. Explore the world, explore the depths of my desires, explore my life and its purpose.

It was my goal this weekend to spend my entire Saturday hiking. It was to become my day to turn off my phone as quick as I could turn off my brain from anything that wasn't related to the trail and the world around it. I had longed for a day where it was me alone on the trail, engulfed in God's pure joy and the simple beauties that is nature. My mind raced with thoughts of future trips. I day dreamed, like a five year old, about how cool it would be to star in a survival/ adventure documentary that would be a mix of 180 Degrees South and a show on NatGeo, with a soundtrack reminiscent of the "I'd Rather Be Hiking" mix from my iPod.

As I was hiking along a portion of the trail I had come across a fellow hiker - which will be another post soon - and we shared a refreshing conversation about simplifying our lives and exploring more of what life has to offer, as we hiked along together. As I listened to her speak so passionately about wanting to set off on more adventures and her desire to enjoy exploring life in general, I caught my mind wandering off on things in my own life. Mainly the sense of boredom, but mile after mile I became deep in debate in my head about where it is God wants me to be and where I want to be. I thought about the lessons I'm supposed to be learning from it and Him, and if I'm even heading in the right direction...and then it hit me. I found my angel.

There it was, a snowman angel sitting on a bench out in the middle of the trail. On the particular path I was following sat passionately an angel to greet me along my journey. It was a simple reminder that regardless of where we think we are or how we feel we are doing there is always an angel there to walk with us along the way. The simple gesture to help us remember that God is there with us every step of the way. Whether we get it right or not, whether we are close friends or a voice from far off in the distance. He is everywhere. Walking along the trail with us as we follow the path before us. Sometimes we need to be reminded that and for me it came in a life size snowman angel waiting for me along the trail.


Until next time...