An Encouraging Word On Your Way Down

Climbing a mountain is always a challenge, but when you have a grumbler in your party it always makes enjoying the scenic beauty of the trail a special challenge.  The hike to Laurel Falls in the Great Smokey Mountain National Park is a three-mile loop – not much flat, half up hill. 

 

We had been working in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee at a taping of the American Jukebox Theater’s 50s and 60s music review.  The tapings occupied our evenings so I decided that Stan and I should get some exercise on one of the park trails.  A good friend, and BlueHighways TV investor, Tom Hammond joined us on the hike.  The trail was easy to find, and once we started on the hike, Stan began to murmur, “How far up do you think we will go?”, “Boy is it hot!”, “Let’s stop at that rock”, “Look, they are coming down”, and “How much farther?”   In between Stan would heartily greet the people going down: “Howdy folks – much further?”  Most answered – “you’ll make it, not much further, it’s worth the hike”.  But one particularly sour woman, marching ahead of her group, growled at Stan “It’s really steep and you are only part of the way there!” 

 

Stan was crestfallen.  His pace slowed and he looked behind him - as if he was ready to give up.  We all sat on a rock for a few moments and talked.  “Look, the last sign said that it is only 3 tenths of a mile ahead,” affirmed Tom.  “All right, let’s give it a try”.  As we rounded the edge of the mountain we saw the most peaceful, shaded valley, and you could hear the water and feel the moisture.  We were at the falls! To think that one discouraging word, if believed, could have kept us from enjoying God’s beautiful sight. 

 

We rested, enjoyed the falls and then began our trip down hill again.  All of us - remembering to give an encouraging word to others on our way down.

 

See you along the BlueHighways!

Denise