I stepped in a hole last week. We cut out a large bush in our front yard and I was taking a load of branches to the back of our property in a wheelbarrow. But I forgot about the hole next to the tree. As I walked, ever so carefully, so I wouldn’t drop the tower of branches blocking my vision, I stepped in the unseen hole! Dropped me to my knees! What just happened? Now—a week later, my right hip is still sore, and I have a difficult time getting out of a chair. My husband and I decided that I must have jammed my hip when I stepped in that hole. This morning, as I read my devotional, these verses in Psalm 37 were highlighted. “The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” Yet, though I stumbled, and stepped in a hole, the Lord upholds me. I like that! I am His child and though I will fail—for none of us are perfect—I know that despite everything, He will be there to help me get back up and set my feet on solid ground.

“For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The fact of the matter is, we will all stumble and fall at some point. Our lives are not perfect, and we will have struggles. There will be days, when we find ourselves on our knees, tripped up by something that Satan has thrown into our path. Yet, we can be certain that in His power, we will be able to rise up again and continue the walk towards His righteousness. Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

I remember a time as a little girl when my dad told us to stand back, and he would show us how to cross a tiny stream. As he attempted to jump over it, he tripped and fell face first into the water! As a little girl, I thought that was hilarious! Isn’t it wonderful to know that we have a father who will not trip and who will not fall? When he tells us to follow Him, we can be assured that our feet will stay on solid ground, as we follow Him, step by step.

In order to follow, we will need to keep our path lit, with the light of His word. We will need to keep our heads up, focused on Him. For, if we turn our attention to what is behind us, or if we look to the right and to the left, we can easily loose sight of Him and wonder off into another direction. We must trust Him and follow as He leads, not questioning constantly. I think it is important to realize that the path He leads us down may be difficult. As we trust in who our God is, and focus on His goodness, kindness, and supreme sovereignty, our journey will be easier. He will never leave us or forsake us!

My hip is finally beginning to heal, and the pain is less each day. We all have burdens. We may not lug them around in a wheelbarrow, but they block our view just the same. Don’t let the trials of this life take your eyes off of the Lord! Keep your path lit with His word, your heart light with His grace and you will be able to traverse the path before you, as he leads you through the hills and valleys.