Paddle boarding is a new hobby I picked up living in Sacramento 15 minutes away from the American river. I went paddle boarding yesterday and I had a plan: I go upstream first and get a workout, and on my way back I can relax and let the downstream take me back to where I started.

The first half of my plan did not work out exactly as I thought. There were currents too strong to paddle through, even the most experienced paddleboarder have to get off their boards and push them through.
On my way back, the plan didn’t exactly turn out the same either. Now the wind was blowing me back and it made coming back harder than I thought.
This seems to be the case in real life as well. I feel like there is something pushing me back no matter which way I go. And it makes moving forward much harder than it looks.
I bet some of you are feeling the same way too. My spiritual director gave me this advice the other day: “Imagine Jesus going before you wherever you go, and leading the way, preparing the room for you.” I have been trying to do that every time I feel down, and to be honest I still fail to take courage in this promise at times. I want to believe that God is somewhere along the way, I want to be able to meet God and trust that I will make it eventually… but the currents… but the promise!

Lord help me put my trust in You, and help me push through even when I fail to see You.

“The Lord goes before you and will be with you; God will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deut 31:8