He made my feet

like the feet of a deer

and set me secure

        on the heights...

You gave a wide place

for my steps under me,

    and my feet did not slip.

                 Psalm 18. 33, 36

(These are not pep rally words,

but words rooted firmly in the

       harrowing experiences of David,

  a chronicle of God's faithfulness,

  a windshield and

           a rear view mirror,

what was and what is now

       and not yet.

The word secure

    means a firm attachment,

not dependent on circumstances

      but God's strong hold on us

           and to take one's stand,

even in the pits,

even in our high and scary places,

even here, even in this,

in the right now and

       in what we cannot yet see.

Faithfulness is tying on our trail shoes,

scripture and prayer our trekking poles,

         and God our guide.

The journey is always more profound

          than the outcome

as we learn to trust Him more.)

O LORD,

Your Presence changes everything

about what we see,

      even what we don't see,

how we respond,

how we navigate,

how we live differently,

    even where there seems no trail.

Help us to not be distracted today

     but keep our eyes on You.

You have Your eye on us.