During my very first post on this blog site I wrote about a meaningful trip to the Colorado Rockies. There were some steep mountains and deep valleys to drive up and through. That trip eventually led me to write about events in my life, comparing them to my life’s journey with God as my guide. Recently a song on the radio made me recall other events that involved really small hills. God also helped me through those small hill moments. During my childhood there were three specific hill events that rotate through my memories.
Hill #1
Age 6 – During a rare snow event in north Georgia the roads were icy. With tire chains in place our family of five loaded into the car. My dad backed out of our driveway at the top of a hill and down we slid into a car at the bottom or our short dead end street. No injuries (despite no use of seat belts or car seats back then) and very minor if any damage to the cars was evident. I grumpily walked through the trees in ice and snow back up the hill. I doubt our shoes were made for such a walk and it was also very cold.
Hill # 2
~Age 8 – Life changed and my mom, sisters and I moved into her parents home on their farm in south Georgia. Weekends often found cousins and their parents visiting. Sunday afternoons were for our favorite event – tractor rides. Of course, the youngest of us had to start a chant pleading for the tractor ride – that most likely would have occurred anyway. One year an older cousin was allowed to drive the tractor once the red trailer was securely connected. We rode a bit through a nearby pine tree farm. Suddenly, I felt us going down a hill quicker than we normally did. A quick scream from me had others screaming as well. There was no safety issue, but that sudden downhill speed brought back memories.
Hill # 3
~Age 12 – The road the farm was on consisted of two miles of sand and clay with two hills. When heavy rains came, it was difficult to make it up the second hill if the ruts were not yet fully set. The ruts were only set after a good number of cars drove up the hill after the rain had begun. On a day when we were one of the first to head up the muddy hill, my mom’s car fishtailed right into the ditch near the top of the hill. At the time, I was convinced we would slide back down the hill or flip over in the ditch – which was actually very small. I recall being a “bit” hysterical and quickly got out of the car and headed to the farmhouse to let someone know we needed help – in squishy mud and rain.
Those tiny hills seemed like big mountains to me at the time. Looking back as an adult, I can see they were truly just small hills. Between those small hills there were smooth roads and shallow valleys for most of my childhood. Looking back, I also see that God got me over those hills to prepare me for the larger mountains and valleys I would face as I grew older. God led me safely through all those hills and valleys. He has led me through all the mountains and ravines I have faced. I know that no matter the size of the next mountain, he will help me conquer it in His time. No matter how deep the next ravine, he will lift me up on the other side in His time.
For now, I will strive to enjoy the gentle hills and valleys he provides for my enjoyment.
“For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land – a land with brooks, streams, and deep springs gushing out into the valleys and hills.” Deuteronomy 8:7 NIV
