Out of Moab
Healing Through Hiking - Spring Trail Challenge
Snowshoeing in Falk Park - Oak Creek
My roommate and I have taken on the Spring Fling Trail Challenge– hiking 75 miles from March 1st through May 31st. This is our second hiking challenge – I’ve really come to appreciate them because they help me to be intentional about getting outside regularly. And a bonus of this particular challenge: when I complete it, they will plant a tree in my name!
But in retrospect, a Spring hiking challenge in Wisconsin may not have been the best idea! So far we’ve had to contend with cold, wind, snow and muddy and icy trail conditions (which is not ideal with the rolling terrain of Kettle Moraine Trails!)
And early Spring really isn’t the prettiest time in Wisconsin. But even with all of that, I’ve been able to find beauty in our adventures!
I had always loved getting out in nature, but I was limited in what I could physically handle. As I’ve been on a health journey in the past few years, one of the benefits has been greater stamina for hiking. It’s been a joy to have the freedom to challenge myself physically while exploring and experiencing God’s beauty!
But even more than that, hiking has been an avenue for God to bring His healing and peace.
The message on this bridge reads
"May the God given peace of this leafy solitude rest upon and abide with thee"
How have I experienced God’s healing during hiking?
Beauty itself is healing
When confronting the brokenness of this world in all its forms, beauty reminds me that brokenness isn’t the end of the story.
Being in nature helps me to slow down and be present.
Usually my mind is in the future, planning and thinking about all contingencies – or sometimes in the past, reviewing and analyzing…but I am rarely in the present. Something about physically experiencing God’s creation helps to ground me in the present - and in these rare moments, I experience peace and rest in a unique way.
When observing nature, I hear God’s voice and am reminded of who He is.
When I hear birds, I hear God singing His love and delight over me. When I see the massive trees, I remember His majesty and greatness. When I see the flowing streams, I think of how the Spirit of God brings life and healing. When I experience the change of seasons, I remember God’s faithfulness and power to renew what seems dormant or lifeless and can trust that He will do that even in me!
Exploring Whitnall Park on a snowy day!
Hiking is a regular part of my life. I will be posting periodically here about my adventures, the beauty I get to experience, and what God teaches me along the way. I pray that my observations and experiences with God will help to highlight God’s work in and around you and help you to tune in and listen to His voice in new ways!
If this is intriguing, be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a post!
What has God taught you through His creation?
Comment below – or contact mewith your thoughts!
Hey, I'm Deanna!
I'll start with the typical introductory details - I live in Wisconsin and work as an Administrative Assistant for a non-profit organization - but those are the least interesting things about me!
I love reading (theology, spiritual formation, biographies), baking and cooking, hiking and exploring the the beauty God has created - in all 4 seasons! All of these things bring me life, and they are all things I will be writing about here - so if any of that is interesting to you, subscribe and stick around for a while!
Join my mailing list - and receive a free download of a Spiritual Disciplines resource!
Created with © systeme.io