Uphill Both Ways

 

In my distress,

     I called on the LORD,

and He answered me.

              Psalm 120. 1

This verse underlines

    an appropriate beginning

    to the fourteen psalms of ascent,

traveling, tackling, scrambling,

and trekking the hard uphills of life,

   of which there are

   countless mountains to climb.

But it is there we see,

             along the way,

amazing views we cannot imagine

          any other way.

And find out what God's strength

              is all about.

Call to the LORD.

He will not just respond,

but walks with us through this,

      uphill both ways.

We are just not there yet. 

O LORD,

in You we trust,

on You we lean,

from You we gain strength,

through You we will make it.

Help us to savor 

      these moments with You,

knowing the journey

is even more significant

           than the outcome.

Empower us

     one more step.

And then another.

Not looking too far ahead,

   but looking to You.