Out on a Limb

 “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths." ~ Psalm 25:4

It had been another long, rough winter here in the mountains enclosing Newfound Gap, a mountain pass in the Great Smoky Mountains. High winds, heavy snows, and now drenching rains hit residents hard, taking its revenge on people, power lines, and thousands of trees.

Charlie headed home after a day with his great grandkids. Entertaining three rambunctious children is both exhilarating… and exhausting. His head felt foggy, as if every eyelash weighed 10X more than it should.

A late winter had dropped a foot of snow and that was rapidly melting. Runoff from the hills had swollen rivers, filled ditches and puddled in the road. Broken tree limbs scattered the mountainside.

Rounding a blind curve, Charlie saw a very thick tree branch up ahead that had fallen into the road and big enough to wreck his car. Freeze, fight or flee? He instinctively pounded the brakes, lit the emergency flashers, then sat for a moment to gather his thoughts just short of disaster.

The road was just wide enough that he could drive around it. Flight seemed the most sensible option for the octogenarian. He needed to get home, wanted to get home.

But the sun was losing its last silver streaks before twilight beckoned the stars. It’ll be dark soon. Sunlit, the mountains are a celebration of artistic forms and colors. Except for the galaxy of distant stars, pure blackness comes at night. “Cancel flight,” he grumbled.

Charlie opened his car door into the pouring rain. There’s a quality of rain that lifts one’s soul heavenward. Amidst the heavy downpour, he felt cleansed and humbled – as if embraced by the arms of his loving Protector.

He went about trying to pull the limb off the road. It was risky; much heavier than expected. But with a little prayer and much grunting, it started moving. By no more than a few inches, Charlie succeeded in clearing it to the road’s shoulder.

He stood briefly to enjoy the victory, offering praise to the partner God that’d help boost his energy. Just then, a small red car sprinted around the curve, hit a pool of water, and splashed his already-soaked pants. “Ungrateful little buggers,” laughing at the absurdity of it all.

Sometimes we all do good things only to get “splashed” for our trouble. When this happens just remember that the real reason you do good is because of the love inside you. The real reason is because you are good.

“Do all the good you can then, everywhere you can, and every chance you can.” (John Wesley) Do good and make the God who watches over you, walks beside you, and lives within you - smile.

Remind me, Lord, of your faithfulness in the past. Help me to remember Your goodness and grace. Help me to trust You even when I’m hesitant. Today, I offer You all that I am, use me for Your purposes. May I even be willing to be a fool for you! Amen