The Playhouse


There are things to be learned on a vacation.  I've learned some of those this week while on vacation with friends, Phil and Susan. We arrived in Sedona, Arizona with expectations of sightseeing drives  taking us to the Grand Canyon and hiking some of the breathtaking trails around the red rocks of Sedona. The weather met us on our arrival with 70 plus temps and 20% humidity.  What a reception!
   I unpacked my hiking shoes and dressed for our first hike.  We hit the trail headed to a picturesque stream surrounded by river rocks and enclosed by a towering mountain range.  The trail made a quick descent and the uneven rocky path kept me watchful of unsure footing.  The cottonwood trees with their shimmering golden leaves were a sign that we were nearing water.  Suddenly I heard a strange sound at my feet and looked down to kick away what I thought felt like a stick or rock hung in my sole.  I was shocked to see the bottom layer of my hiking shoes flapping loosely from my shoe.  Othel turned around and said, "What's that?"
   "My shoe," I answered as I tried to keep pace.  He stopped and bent down to examine my "talking" shoe.  I assured him a little glue would fix it good as new after I finished the hike.  We both were puzzled that this brand of shoe would have that problem.
   Undaunted, I continued the hike but with a flip-flop noise with each step.  Before we reached the stream, I had another blow-out!  My other shoe let go of its bottom layer of sole.  Now they were singing a duet.  Othel stopped again and examined my other shoe.  "These things look rotten under this sole," he said.  "Glue won't help this problem.  I'll pull the soles off and you can finish the hike, but we'll get you new shoes before another hike."
   I agreed as I looked closer.  He gave the soles a yank, and they tore loose easily.  I felt like I was wearing lace-up moccasins.  I navigated the hike to the stream, made some pictures and headed back to our vehicle.
   I learned that checkups are important for vacation attire.  Just because my shoes still looked great from the outside, a closer look would have exposed the problem.
   Mid-week we headed for the Grand Canyon.  The trip was scenic in all directions but carried us to high elevations and narrow, winding roads.  Susan and I told the men that the height of the drive and the possibility of going over the edge and never being found among the rocks and dense trees was a possibility that was unnerving. They assured us that the drive was safe and that we shouldn't look over the edges until we got off the mountain.
   With sweaty palms and extra braking from the back seat, we arrived at our destination.  On the way back after a day of hiking the canyon's rim and being awed by its beauty, I made a discovery.  Even though we traveled the same "treacherous" route back to our hotel, Susan and I never made a comment about the danger of the winding roads.  Why?  It was dark and the headlights of our car always shown straight ahead, and we weren't able to see the deep precipices on the sides. What we didn't see couldn't alarm us.
   There were even deeper lessons for me spiritually: (1) The outside of my shoes may have looked great but the inside was rotten.  Our hearts are much more important to God than our outward appearance, and He's able to see everything others might never see.  I need regular heart exams.
   (2) There are a vast number of fearful things in our world, and they can turn me into a frightened, crippled disciple if I focus on those things.  However, if I keep my focus on the light that God's Word shines onto my path and follow that light, He will lead me to my destination in a way that will bring glory to the Lord.
   I may be growing old in years, but God continues to teach me - even on vacations.