Tackling the Puddles…

Last night, the 3 of us went on a long bike ride and it got me thinking…

At one point, about 3 miles into our ride, we came to a puddle. We went through it. Then, we came to an even bigger, longer and deeper puddle that went about 1/4 of the way up the bike tires of the man before us. My husband, of course, no hesitation, laughing at how wet his butt, back and everything was after.

I, on the other hand, was a little nervous and thought about veering off into the grass. It only took me a second to realize that, if Jared was ok, I would be too. So, I peddled a little, and put my feet up on the last 15ft. of the 25ft. puddle. I made it out with soaked shoes and feet, laughing like a kid coming off a roller coaster.

Aubrey was a little more apprehensive than I was, almost coming to a complete stop before the puddle. Then she floored it, coming out laughing and saying, “Uh, mom, my shoes are SOAKED!”

With wet feet and smiling faces, we all went on the rest of what now seemed like more of an adventure. I’ll admit, it was a little uncomfortable and my toes were shriveling as we road further, but we kept going because it wasn’t the end of the trail. Once we turned around, we knew we had 2 choices – to go through the puddle again, or avoid it by going another way.

Jared found larger puddles in the parking lot beside the trail to tackle. Aubrey and I went straight for it, this time, keeping our feet down the whole time. What a rush! I know, doesn’t seem that adventurous, but we still had 3 miles to get back to the car so we were in for a wet ride back.

The point of my story is this…

In life there are going to be times we need to face some things or find a way around them. We can either take the path that might get us soaked, find an alternate route or turn around and head back. However, even though it seems a bit difficult, uncomfortable and we won’t know the outcome, the path less traveled might just be the one that brings the biggest smile to our face. You know what helps when you get to that point? Having people with you to encourage you, be willing to go ahead to test the waters and show you that everything is going to be ok.

If you’re at a point in your life where the next step might be a little rocky and the outcome unsure, it’s ok to hesitate a little. It’s normal to worry what will happen once you start peddling into the puddle. Let me assure you, you might get wet but you most certainly won’t drown.

God brought you to this point, not as a test but simply as a part of your journey. He knew you’d come to a point in your life where you’d need a challenge and you’d need to trust someone. Now you have to decide what you’re going to do – move forward or fall back. I think you know what you should do, but you’re a little nervous. Ok, maybe even alot nervous!

God’s got you. He’s led you here and He’ll see you through to the other side. He may have even placed people in your life to encourage you through this; lean on them as well.

We are all going to face puddles of different sizes at different points in our lives. But remember, they’re only as difficult as we allow them to be. It may not be easy at times, but it’s certainly not impossible. You’re not the first nor the last that will ever go through this. Others have made it through and you will too!