We must have timed it badly though because as soon as we got there and set up to have lunch, a squall line of thunderstorms started passing through the area.
We weren't discouraged though. We had our picnic in the car and waited for the lead edge of the storm to blow through. When the weather calmed we decided to take our hike.
The kids were eager to hike, but they were nervous. Storms were still moving through the area around us, but they were headed north of us. I took stock of the weather and decided we had already seen the worst of it, so we started our hike.
The hike was gorgeous. We followed a trail that runs along Oak Creek and skirts around Cathedral Rock.
The kids and I had the best time criss-crossing the creek, hiking through the woods and meadows up to a ridge overlooking the whole valley around cathedral rock.
But periodically the kids would alternate between delight and wonder, and fear and doubt.
"Daddy, I think we should head back, the clouds are scary," Katie would say. "Daddy there's thunder."
"Dad, we should turn around, we are going to get lost," Patrick would say.
And periodically, I would reassure them. "Those storms are headed away from us, the thunder is getting farther apart. Daddy knows the way, the creek and the trail we followed are right down there. Trust daddy, I know what I'm doing, I won't let anything bad happen to you. Come with me, I've got something cool to show you."
As we were progressing through our hike I couldn't help but think of all the storms I have been through in my life the last several years. Seeing my marriage crumble, fearing the loss of my kids, the loss of my job. Sometimes I cried out to God, why is this happening and when will it stop?
But just as I held my children's hands yesterday and led them along the path, God guided me through those trials.
You see, my kids haven't spent years navigating through the woods or reading the conditions to figure out what the weather will do, so they were scared. But I have. I told them to trust me and see the beautiful things I wanted to show them.
And now, I have seen God rebuild my life and shape me into a new person. I guess I don't always need to know where the path is leading. I just need to know that the guide loves me and knows what he's doing. "Follow me son, I want to show you something beautiful."
"[1] The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. [2] He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, [3] he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake.
[4] Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
[5] You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. [6] 6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23
