MOUNTAINS

I have a mountain of work staring me in the nose, but am taking time to write some Flash Fiction. Hemingway wrote a six-word story that inspired me. He wrote: “For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.”

If that doesn’t tell a story, what does? So I came up with a few of my own. What do you think?
(1) Big booboo. Big kiss. Final tears.   (2) Free pups. Mom died. Rabies.   (3) Reel in. Lost it. Stupid boy.   (4) Yes?...How bad?...Rallied?...Praise God.

ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE  by Sally Bair

Things That Surround
   
One of the most beautiful spots in North America is the area near Hyder, Alaska. As my husband, grandsons, and I approached the town in our motorhome one summer, we found ourselves completely surrounded by majestic, snow-capped mountains. We drove up one of those mountains along a steep, narrow, rocky road that brought on a few white knuckles, and a wheezing cough from our vehicle. But it was worth the effort. We viewed an endless panorama of mountain peaks across the narrow valley. We also had a glimpse of several abandoned gold mines, evidenced by their weathered shacks along and below the edge of the road. And the trip upward brought us closer and closer to a huge glacier on the next mountain. What a sight!     

There was one thing wrong with that unforgettable place, however. Almost everything seemed to be in shadow. Among all those mountains there was simply not enough room for the sun to cast its rays except at mid-day when it shone straight overhead. For a brief time then, some of the shadows retreated. I can imagine how dark the winter days are there, when the sun strides across the sky at such a low angle that direct light cannot reach most places. One would have to climb a mountain in order to see the shine of the sun.

Isn't that how it is with us, sometimes—when the shadows of life keep us in the dark? There is a song of worship that goes, "When the things that surround become shadows in the light of You … I worship You." We all face mountains in our lives—illness and pain, death and divorce, rejection and unmet needs. Those mountains seem insurmountable. Others are deceptively positive—riches, popularity, recognition …. But they can impede our spiritual growth. 

The light of God's love can shrink our mountains into a tiny puddle of shadow at our feet. Jesus said that if we have even a little faith, we can move mountains. All it takes is a small leap of faith, and then we will reach His light. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

Lord, give us the strength to remove the mountains from our lives that are preventing us from making spiritual headway and from worshiping You with our whole heart and soul. In Jesus’ name, amen.