I was talking with my mom one day about how I just love being on the mountain top, where life is so grand. Why is this time so very short? Why can't it be longer?  In an almost funny response she simply said, "the top of a mountain is really small." As I started to think about what she said, it hit me. We spend our whole lives trying to get to the really small place. And it is a small place. Only to have to come back down to get back up. As I pondered on this concept, God gave me more to share. As we walk/climb up the mountain, we have time to see around us. We can see others climbing the mountain with or without us. We gather our strength/muscle to go higher and higher, focusing on the goal, the prize ahead. We finally get to the top and we rest, we smile, and we celebrate the amazing victory of all the obstacles we overcame to make it up the mountain. But this time is short lived as our journey on this earth is not to stand still too long. There is a season, a time for all things. Once the rest is over its time to move on. So now we must climb/walk down the mountain. This is not as hard physically but just as treacherous as to what could be in our way. Perhaps regrets and disappointments. While coming down the mountain we can look and see what has worked and what hasn't...carefully pondering our next move. Then comes the valley, uggg. That place we know we grow the most. That place that has all the fertilizer, the water, the vitamen's. That place that can be so low for us in every way, low enough to get us to slowly rely on God fully. But thanks to the Lord we don't stay here either. Thank you Lord for the mountains in our lives. It keeps us connected to you.
Psalm 104:10
He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains.
 

Last week, I went horse back riding with my good friend Ann-Marie. We were in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina. The leaves were bursting in color, while the temperature was a perfect 70 degrees. I was so excited to go as I love to horseback ride. I love the power of the horse, the beautiful mountain views and making new friends. This ride started out like all the rest climbing up the mountain. Rosy was the name of my horse. She seemed to like me right away. She was easy to ride and took direction. Occasionally she would get behind and I would give her a swift kick, making her trot a bit. I love to trot.

We had been riding about 45 minutes when it was time to come down the mountain. Off in the distance we could see cows, sheep and goats eating on the hills. Our fierce leader, Norman would share story after story of others who had ridden. Of his own child hood and his love of horses. It was then, as we were coming down that Rosy lost her footing. She stumbled on some rocks and leaned down to readjust to stand back up. Between the angle of the mountain, the angle of her head and the speed at which this all happened, I fell off of Rosy. I was told that I rolled over top of her head and bounced on the grown over to my front. All I remember is pain and lots of it. 

Norman would call for help. They would bring a type of golf cart made for mountains to bring me down. I wasn't able to walk or stand or sit on my own. I spent several hours in the ER getting x-rays and Cat scans. I just knew I had broken something or pierced my kidney. The pain was the worse I had every felt before. To my surprised and thankfulness, nothing was broken or an organ damaged. The doctor told me I would sore for a while and it does appear I have some nerve damage (seeing a doctor on Thursday). I know it could have been so much worse. I am so thankful to all of you who prayed for me.

As I was laying in the hospital bed, Ann-Marie's pastor and wife came to visit and prayed with me. I am so thankful that no matter where I am and no matter what happens to me God provides what I need. I would stay with Ann-Marie a couple more days till I attempted to drive home to NC.

What is the lesson in this event? I am just thankful that in all bad situations, God can use for His glory. This past weekend I traveled to MO to teach. I couldn't walk long distances so I had extra help with wheelchairs at the airports. I was able to share my story and my faith with each of my drivers not to mention those sitting next to me on the planes. Thank you Lord that in all situations, your glory is revealed.

Romans 11:36
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Kris Swiatocho, Director
TheSinglesNetwork.org Ministries
YesMarketingandDesign.com
NavigateConference.com
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The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy but I have come to give life to its fullest. John 10:10