January 21, 2010
This morning I shot this picture of mossy stairs leading up a steep and long hill to a beautiful house perched on a cliff overlooking the water. As I took the shot I couldn’t help but see a metaphor right before my eyes. The view of Lake Washington at the base of the steps was breath taking today. The sky was clear and blue with the Cascade Mountains showing herself strong with her snow capped crowns. The lake was like glass. I couldn’t help but allow my mind to wonder what the view was like from this particular house. Don’t worry, I wasn’t about to trespass to find out but the only way to ever know what the view is like, is to see it from top. And the only way that would ever happen would be for me to walk up each step, one by one until I arrived there. I should mention I couldn’t see where the top of the stairs were – there was no end in sight.
Had this not been private property, I probably would have started trekking up those steps out of curiosity. Knowing me, after about 20 steps if I still couldn’t see the top I would stop and evaluate going back down to the bottom where it’s safe and comfortable or continuing upward, even if that meant it could be awhile.
For some people, life is really difficult right now. You’re in situations and circumstances where there is no end in sight and you feel helpless, hopeless, and stuck. I want to encourage and remind you to press into hope and just take each day one step at a time. With every step you will grow stronger. With each step you will go higher. And when you get to the peak, you will be someone who overcame adversity even if it took you awhile to get there. The beautiful part of this metaphor is you’ll have moved up to a higher level of gratification in life with a new outlook and perspective to glean from. Taking little steps each day will eventually add up to a noticeable difference from where you started. Before you know it, you’ll be running up those stairs conquering new heights with greater rewards waiting for you. It just takes one step today.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
A good metaphor. Sort of like starting at the bottom of the ladder so-to-speak. But definitely agree. We will reach that peak eventually, but for now we must keep walking until we get there.
Hi Alice, Thank you for being there as we take our baby steps upward…
Yes Alice…and make them “baby” steps. Not huge lunging steps, as if in anger. Just calm, determined, minced steps. Anyway you look at you moved forward, and that’s what it’s all about. Sweet…
Sandy – So true, it’s all about baby steps.
What a lovely shot. Great post!
I totally want to do up those stairs, I’ll daydream about whats at the top.
Wow, thanks for sharing, Alice! This bears some resemblance of a messge I heard a week or two ago. Re: The Lord’s Prayer cites “Give us THIS day our daily bread…” THIS day. Not yesterday. Not tomorrow. TODAY. God gives us strength & provision for this day, no more! Nice reminder, since I’m usually worrying about ‘tomorrow’ and trying to figure it all out!
All people deserve good life time and mortgage loans or just short term loan can make it better. Just because people’s freedom bases on money state.
Very nice and wonderful post. Thanks for taking the time to share this with us.