LESSONS AT GRAVEYARD FIELDS

(4/22/08)
(Linville Falls Campground, Blue Ridge Parkway)

Hi, God. It is late at night, and I am about to end what has been a busy but satisfying day.

I left early this morning (well… early in vacation terms) and drove south to pick up the Parkway just south of Asheville – a large portion between here and Asheville is closed for repairs right now, so I had to detour over to I-40. I have never driven the southernmost portion of the Parkway in its entirety, so I decided to do that today. And it was a gorgeous day for it – warm weather (even at the high elevations), blue sky with puffy white clouds, and some absolutely beautiful scenery!

I saw the Yellowstone Prong Falls (all three of them), hiked through Graveyard Fields, and climbed up to Black Balsam Knob for a stunning 360-degree view at 6,214 feet. It was an amazing day – and I am really tired, so I am gonna make this short.

As you are hiking around the 2.5-mile Graveyard Field Loop trail, you have an option of taking a 1.4-mile side trip to the Upper Falls of Yellowstone Prong – a hike that my guidebook said would be more strenuous and treacherous.

As I was trying to make my decision, I ran into a guy who knew a lot about this particular area. I asked him if the side trip was worth the effort. He said, “absolutely,” and then proceeded to tell me to be sure to scramble up the falls once I got there, because the best feature was hidden at the top of the falls. I thanked him and took off.

Even though the loop hike around Graveyard Fields had been really enjoyable, I was already winded from hiking it; and I began to really get tired about a half mile into the side trip. Just then I passed two ladies who told me I was close – about ten more minutes. I quickened my pace, encouraged by the news that I was almost there.

Upon my arrival at the falls, I was so glad that my newfound friend had given me that advice about scrambling up to the top of the falls. While the lower portion of the falls were pretty – a rushing flume of water dancing down a large, wide, relatively smooth rock face – I would have probably questioned if it had been worth my time and perspiration. After scrambling to the top, however, I was thrilled to find a 40-50 foot delicate cascade of white, lacy water that was the starting point for the waterfall – a feature that could not be seen from the bottom. I sat and enjoyed an apple as I marveled at the beauty of this spot.

As I descended, I told a mother and her two small children that they were close – about ten minutes away. I also told two other couples about the wonderful hidden cascade at the top of the falls.

So where am I going with this whole narrative?

The life of a Christ-follower is a journey. At some points along the journey, we are going to wonder if it is even worth the effort. God will send experienced people into our path to reassure us. At some points, we will be uninformed, misinformed, or just plain confused, and stand a chance of missing something really special or important. God will send knowledgeable people into our path that will warn us, guide us and instruct us. At some points, we will get tired and discouraged. God will send encouraging people into our path to admonish us and invigorate us. And at yet other points along the journey, God will send us into the paths of others to do the same three things for them.

Thank You, God, for all those You have sent into my path during my long journey to reassure me, to instruct and guide me, and to encourage me. So many faces and names flash before me that I could not even begin to list them all here. You have used each of them to shape me into who I am.

And thank You for all the times that You have sent me into someone’s path to reassure them, to instruct and guide them, and to encourage them. I pray that, in each encounter, I have fulfilled your purposes for me – and yet even as I write these words, I know that, as a flawed follower, I certainly have not always done my part. Forgive me for the times You sent me into someone’s path, and I walked right past them. Forgive me for giving incorrect or misguided counsel at times. Help me to enthusiastically encourage, reassure, and guide all those who I encounter.

Thank You for the journey. Even when I am tired (like now) and my body aches (like now), it is always worth it to walk the journey with You!