I braved the somewhat icy roads for a two mile drive to the golf course, praying there would be enough snow to ski. Not only was there enough snow, but for the first four miles of my five-mile round cross-country skiing eighteen holes, the snow was perfect. It was fluffy and soft and not at all melting. The skis glided perfectly across its surface.
I knew this was likely the ONLY chance I would get this year to cross-country ski. It doesn’t snow much in Charlotte and there is no cross country skiing anywhere nearby...ever. So I decided I would stay out and ski the entire course. When God gives you an open door, walk through it.
It was so beautiful with the cloudless sky, sparkling snow, and huge expanses of empty white fields. Not a soul in sight. I saw several hawks, and a herd of deer gallop across the snow. For the first 90 minutes, it was effortless. Then, the sun began to warm the snow and my skis started to drag as the clumpy snow pulled at them.
Oh oh.
I was also lost. I ended up in a dead end ringed by homes when I thought I was on the last leg of my journey to the lodge.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep. Robert Frost
I wearily retraced my steps and found the turn off I had missed for the lodge, aka Golf Club. That last half mile or so of skiing was not easy. I was still having fun, but not easy fun. Hard fought fun. The kind of fun you have when you are in the midst of a battle and you think you have the strength to see it through, though you are not sure ... but at least the land is gorgeous where the fight is raging.
This is a little like the way I feel each day as I head off to the sidewalk of the abortion center. I know I am entering a battle zone, a spiritual battle where good and evil clash, and life or death hangs in the balance. When the Holy Spirit is moving in the hearts of those abortion-minded women and our team, it is like gliding effortlessly on skis. The women come to us when we call; scales of deception from the enemy of their souls fall from their eyes. They smile at the image of their child on the ultrasound. Our team labored hard to help bring that miracle about, but when God sends the ‘perfect snow’, gliding across it is work, but a blessing and a joyful work.
On the other hand, there are times when, metaphorically, the snow has melted beneath our skis. Hearts are hard. Nasty words are tossed at us like spears, and no matter how desperately we plead and offer help, babies are exterminated.
The image of perfect snow I will hold in my heart as I head to the sidewalk this morning.
With weary satisfaction, I reached the parking lot of the golf club. I removed my skis and walked with muscles already beginning to stiffen. I was completely spent. I had given every ounce of energy I had to that glorious journey on the golf course.
May I say the same each day when I finish the course God has prepared for me.
Join us on the sidewalks if you wish to expend yourself on behalf of the innocent unborn. Click HERE for information.
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Acts 20:35
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
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