Not panic but guidance

He was close to panic. Forest spirits beaconed him to give up. Jump off the cliff, they said, your troubles will be over in an instant.

During a particularly difficult time in his life, Christopher Vogler, Hollywood development executive and author of The Writer’s Journey, decided to walk alone in the forest near Big Sur, hoping to find peace and clarity. A short hike along a Forest Service trail turned into an ordeal. It had rained, so he expected muddy trails. But in several places, the path had washed away, leaving patches of rough, “finger-and-toe” crossings over rockslides.

Three hours into a one-hour walk, he came to a total washout. His hands and feet cramped; his arms shook from exhaustion. He was soaking wet and cold. The sun was going down, the temperature dropping. Turn back? No, he didn’t have the energy—he would die. Give up and hope someone found him? No—he’d read news reports about people alone in the woods at night, falling into some canyon and perishing only to be discovered days later. Keep going? What were his chances? Would he make it, crossing over house-sized, jagged boulders? Yes, but on the other side of the washout, there was still no sign of the trail.

Hearing the forest spirits, he panicked then remembered: they are tricksters. He deep breath and heard a voice in his head say, “Trust the path.”There is no path, he scoffed; that’s the problem. I’ve lost my way. “Trust the path,” the voice said again. He looked down and saw an ant trail. It led to a small creature trail then a deer trail then a sunny meadow—and the well-travelled Forest Service trail. A half-hour later, he was back in his car on the highway. 

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV

Not panic but restoration

“I don’t want to panic you, Ma’am, but we found some additional points of concern,” said the contractor as he pointed to a rotted post that supported the top of the stairway and deck on the west side. After we passed the northeast stairwell under construction, he showed me more “points of concern”—dining deck and entrance posts.

We’d replaced the wood flooring with composite in 2020, and the joists on the north side of the deck needed replacing, too. Five years later, the stairs and hand rails were showing signs of dry-rot. This time, Keith and I decided to go with deck restoration, designed to last for years. New stairs and hand rail systems, sister joists plus reinforcements to strengthen the bean supports, and high-quality stain instead of paint. The initial estimate allowed for one beam to be replaced, but the dining deck and entrance would require more. We gave the contractor our go-ahead.

The restoration should sustain us during our time here and those who follow. And although this restoration project preoccupies us now, we know it’s nothing compared to God’s.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:12 NIV

Not panic but thanksgiving

No need to panic, I said to myself while going down the pre-op checklist, this is in God’s hands. “This” being day surgery to correct a common problem in women, Multiple Pelvic Organ Prolapse, not a life-threatening condition but uncomfortable. As I write this post on Sunday afternoon, I’m doing laundry so we have clean sheets on the bed. I paid bills, cleaned the house, and did yard chores on Friday and Saturday—got a haircut, too—and Keith and I went to the grocery store and dropped the trash and recycle after church. We’re ready.

If you are reading this post on Monday or soon thereafter, I’ll be recovering thanks to the University of Virginia medical staff and Keith’s loving care, for which I am ever-so grateful. And for your prayers.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6 NIV

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