Moss-Covered Paths

My soul, wait silently for God alone,

For my expectation is from Him.

He only is my rock and my salvation;

He is my defense;

I shall not be moved.

In God is my salvation and my glory;

The rock of my strength,

And my refuge, is in God.

Trust in Him at all times, you people;

Pour out your heart before Him;

God is a refuge for us.

Psalm 62:5-8

The purpose of our trials is not only to test our worthiness but also to increase it, just as the mighty oak is tested by the storms as well as strengthened by them.

Sometimes I dare to ask the question, “Why can’t life be easy?”  That question comes more readily to my lips when my children are facing difficult circumstances.  My mother’s heart wants life to be pleasant and effortless for my little (and not so little) chicks.  I want their journeys to be “moss-covered paths laid out through the meadows” where they can skip and run with ease.  Yet they are often sent to “carve out their own paths with their own hands.”  And my heart cries out for them and the difficulties they face.

I have lately been pouring out my mother’s heart before Him and wondering why He doesn’t seem to answer my prayers.  Why does life continue to lay stones in the path?  Why does the hard work and difficulties remain?  And He has gently reminded me that His ways are best.  Do I trust Him?  He knows what He is doing.

The August 3 reading in Streams in the Desert affirms, “Some people always avoid things that are costly, or things that require self-denial, self-restraint, and self-sacrifice.  Yet it is hard work and difficulties that ultimately lead us to greatness, for greatness is not found by walking the moss-covered path laid out for us through the meadow.  It is found by being sent to carve out our own path with our own hands.”

The question is then asked, “Are you willing to sacrifice to reach the glorious mountain peaks of God’s purpose for you?”  Am I willing to allow my child to sacrifice to reach the glorious mountain peaks of God’s purpose?  I still long for each of my children to experience a gentle and carefree life, but really I long for each of them to become the person God plans for them to be.  I long for them to be strong and worthy.  I want to allow Christ to lead them to greatness.

Therefore I should not hope for an easy life for each of them.  Neither should I pray for a life filled with “moss-covered paths.”  Rather, I should pray that they each become stronger.  I should pray that their power would equal their tasks.  As Phillips Brooks writes, “Never pray for an easier life – pray to be a stronger person!  Never pray for tasks equal to your power – pray for power equal to your tasks.  Then doing your work will be no miracle – you will be the miracle.”