There’s no sign of the sun, as I set out on our local walking trail. I’m in a funk and feel an urgency within, to get outside and breathe some fresh air, so I head for the lake!

Backpack in tow, containing my water bottle, journal and a devotional just in case I feel like reading. I’m on a mission to find a secluded spot to sit and journal; off I go.

This trail is known for being a solid mile around the lake, which excites me, because I’ve never been and am excited to find a new hideaway for my soul!

The paved trail is laden with tall grass, pretty wild flowers and beautiful trees of all varieties. I stop here and there to capture photos of the natural beauty surrounding me. I’m a flower girl, after all, so capturing photos of these tiny earth smiles, with petals and stems, makes my heart happy.

As I round the bend, my heart falls a little, as I see a caution sign ahead, blocking the trail… I keep walking. I contemplate the idea of going around the caution sign, by walking on the grass to the right of it. I envision the beauty that lies ahead, but also toy with the possible looming danger just outside my view, should I proceed without caution? I walk up to the caution sign and come to a halting stop. I look around, ahead as far as I could see, around me, as well as behind me, to see any impending danger, but see none at all.

Then something stirs within me saying, “you can’t always see the danger ahead; just trust me when you see the caution sign-it’s there for a reason.”

I sigh and turn around, disappointment oozing from my aching soul. I needed this, why don’t I get to move forward? Why do I have to go all the way back? Why didn’t they post that the trail is closed? Frustration threatens to steal my focus: to be outside in nature and basking in the beauty around me. I push my disappointment aside and focus on the slow incline back up to the trail head and start my walk back, unknowing of what I’m going to do next.

My brain replays a recent journal entry where I told God I’m struggling because I don’t see how He’s been protecting me! I’m hurting from the deepest part of my soul, after losing my Mom, and the blows just keep coming one after another without skipping a beat. I feel like I can’t catch a break, so question how in the world He can tell me He loves me, provides for me, yet doesn’t protect me? It’s a desperate cry for Him to reveal Himself to me and like God always does-He remains quiet until I am still enough to hear His gentle and loving voice.

Today was the moment where He showed me through a physical caution sign, that while I may not always see any looming danger ahead, those “checks in my spirit” are truly His cautions protecting me!

My take away from today’s experience is two fold. One being that while I may not always see God’s protection in action, He is protecting me moment by moment. Second being that life is more about the journey and less about the destination. Had I chosen to succumb to the disappointment from my wrecked plan, I could have missed the opportunity to hear God speak to me in the moment!

How about you? Do you struggle, like me, to believe the caution is there for good reason? I encourage you to take a moment like I did today, to focus on your journey, and not the destination and while you’re there, perhaps start thanking Him for His unseen protection, because I guarantee you it’s there!

A Resource for you:

I am currently on a mission to find more quiet moments like today’s, to be in union with God! To enjoy the beauty surrounding me daily, by getting out in nature and breathing fresh air, talking to Him, and basking in closeness with Him. One way I’m doing this is by using a new app called Pause, created by author John Eldredge. The app is designed to put us into a state of mind where we PAUSE! With two customizable, built-in timers set to remind you when it’s time to PAUSE, for one, three, five or ten minutes, John woos us into the presence of Jesus, by quoting scripture and reminding us to give everyone and everything to Him. If you’re looking for a way to unplug and lean into Jesus more, I’m finding this app to be a great resource and I believe you’ll love as well!