My 10th Big Hike: SPECTACULAR

“How did you begin to do this?”

It’s a question I’m often asked. Because we are celebrating our 10^th Hike, I thought I’d share our story of how it all began…

Years ago, I was on a run on the bike trail near my house, a popular trail in the suburbs of Washington, DC. Glancing at my watch, I knew I had to pick up the pace. After all, I was a “very busy woman” with an appointment I had to get to and a list of projects I needed to complete that day. Rounding a bend on the lovely trail, I saw a gal coming toward me with her golden retriever in step beside her. Slowing just a little, I said, “I love your dog. I also have a golden.”

“I just moved here,” she responded.

“Hope you like it,” I replied, continuing my run. After all, I had an agenda.

However, the closer I got to my house, the more miserable I became.

I felt God saying, Susan, you were so rude. You could have stopped and talked with her. But no, you had your agenda. But what about mine?

Completely convicted of my own selfishness—my own sense of importance—I asked God to forgive me and somehow to enable me to meet this gal again. I had no idea where she lived or how that would happen. She could be anyone from anywhere; this was a huge area.

The very next day, I was driving up my street, and there she was walking up my road. Totally surprised, I pulled my car over and jumped out.

“Are you the woman from the bike trail yesterday? I am so sorry, I blurted out. I was so rude yesterday. I should have stopped and talked with you. Will you forgive me?”

Now she could have wondered, who is this crazy person?

I only knew that God had answered my prayer, forgiven me, and given me a second chance.

Both of us were surprised. We stood on the side of the road and talked for what felt like forever. It turned out that she, her husband, and their two sons had just returned from 23 years of foreign service in Africa and were renting a house around the corner from mine.

Melody recalls the day we passed each other on the bike trail:

“I was really struggling, walking through trauma and big transitions. I was questioning God and feeling deep despair. When you told me you had prayed to run into me again, something broke in me. I felt God saw me in the midst of my struggles. I had felt so alone, but now I was reminded that I wasn’t alone. Not only was I not alone, but I was also seen and heard. It was a pivotal moment in my healing journey.”

In that encounter, God answered both of our prayers. His grace reached out to each of us with completely different needs, mine for forgiveness and hers to know God saw her. And in that moment, a deep friendship was born. We named ourselves the “Grace Sisters” because of His pure grace showered upon us. We have been reminded that our God is a “go before you God, a preparer of our way.” He has beautiful surprises in store for us if we let go of our agendas and ask Him to meet our needs. He is the God of grace.

A few weeks ago, we celebrated His faithfulness with our tenth adventure.

We drove to the northern Cascades of Washington State. Parking in the lot at Hennegan Pass, we set out with heavy backpacks (mine was 28 pounds, Melody’s 31) for what we had been told was just under 4 miles to set up our base camp. It wasn’t. It was more like 5.5 miles, straight up, a long ascent in hot sun. Brutal. When we finally found a campsite, we were so done, but we still had to set up the tent, blow up air mattresses, find a stream to pump and filter water, assemble our tiny stove to eat, and hang our food in our bear bag in a tree, before we could fall into cozy sleeping bags. Coming from the hot, muggy East, the cool fresh air in the 50s was a balm to my soul.

The next morning, we rolled out of our tent and cooked oatmeal on our tiny stove. (Melody puts peanut butter powder in hers-gross!) Then, with plenty of water, we hiked 6.5 miles straight up to Hennegan Peak, where we were stunned.

“Isn’t this so beautiful!” We exclaimed to a hiker from Canada who arrived about the same time that we did.

“No,” he replied in a serious tone, “It’s SPECTACULAR!”

He was absolutely right.

The next day was equally spectacular as we hiked 8 hours round trip to Copper Ridge, where 360-degree views awaited.

Gazing at snow-covered Mt. Baker and the sharp cliffs of the Shuksan Mountains, paths of avalanches, flowering fields and cold streams, we were struck over and over by His majesty and power. I found myself breaking into the old hymn, “Oh Lord My God How Great Thou Art.”

This spectacular scenery makes us feel small and God so big. In our daily lives, it’s so easy to get stuck in our own stuff. His creation is one way of restoring perspective. Every hike we are reminded of this truth.

Our hikes provide space for theological discussions—things we are learning in our spiritual journeys, what’s hard, what’s a blessing, and always questions we are asking. We roar with laughter at silly things, and we walk in companionable silence. This year one of our topics was the mystery of God-how to live with this mystery when we want answers. We pondered how the ability to embrace mystery invites us to go deeper with the Lord. Sometimes our need for certainty can block our intentions to know God more deeply. We share our desires and longings for bigger hearts of worship—these mountains provoke worship.

A funny, unexpected blessing was a privy box in our camping area. It is just a box you sit on and share with all the hikers, but it overlooks an incredible valley and mountains and makes it so we don’t have to dig in very hard ground to bury poop. Animals have it easy. They have no restrictions.

After 4 days, 31 miles up and down, we staggered back to the lot. This last stretch was the most frightened I’ve ever been on a hike, as the trail was very narrow and very slippery, hard to balance with my big backpack. Wrong footing could take me over the cliff at any moment. We were thankful for each of you who were praying.

Our bodies are sore and tired, but our spirits are refreshed with this reminder of how very big and creative and powerful our God is.

Read about our previous hikes.