“Let your steadfast love become my comfort according to your promise to your servant.”  Psalm 119:76

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”  Matthew 5:4

Mountain hiking is a favorite pastime for us.  We study maps and typically feel secure that we will reach our destination and the approximate time it will take.  Some years ago, we spent a few days hiking in the Big Horn Mountains in Wyoming.  Besides beautiful country my husband’s college roommate lived there, and we looked forward to visiting him.  On the day we were invited to his house for dinner the trail we planned was taking much longer than we expected.  We wanted to trust the map, but if we had missed a turn, the map would know longer lead us where we meant to go.  The one sure way was to turn back and retrace our steps, taking many more hours than planned.  Not only were we going to be ridiculously late for dinner, but worse we were facing the possibility of running out of daylight.  We returned safely but called 3 hours past our scheduled dinner date to apologize (pre-cell phone days).  Our friend, an experienced mountain man and elk hunting guide, kindly said we were not lost, we were confused.  And we were welcomed into his home the next evening. 

It is good to know that God’s love is steadfast, and he does not give up on us or leave us.  In our distractions we become confused, miss signs, turn the wrong way, make bad choices, but our good Guide reassures us that to him, we are never lost.

We turn to you, oh God, when we don’t know which way to turn, when we have lost our way, and in need of forgiveness, for you are gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.  Amen

Verla Olson

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