Hiking Towards Change
This weekend, my family and I hit one of our favorite trails—a winding path that hugs a quiet river and cuts through miles of hardwood forest. The air was crisp, the kind that reminds you summer has truly said its goodbyes. The river ran low, revealing smooth stones that are usually hidden beneath rushing water. The trees, though, were in full display—flames of orange, gold, and red waving against a blue autumn sky. Every step crunched with fallen leaves, every turn offered a fresh reminder that beauty often comes through change.
As we hiked, I noticed how much lower the river is. Normally, the water is too deep to see the bottom, but this time, I could walk across without getting my pants wet.
But I couldn’t help thinking—sometimes what looks like “less” is just a season of rest.
The river isn’t gone; it’s just lower for a time. It’ll rise again when the snow melts and the rains come.
That simple truth hit me. As a man, a husband, and a father, there are seasons when I feel like my “river” is running low—when my energy, patience, or confidence seems to dry up a bit. But just like that river, those seasons don’t last forever. God uses them to remind us to slow down, to rest, and to trust that renewal is coming.
We walked quietly for a while, and I thought about how my kids won’t remember every toy or show, but they’ll remember days like this—when Dad was present, not just physically, but mentally and spiritually too.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
Sometimes the best way to live out that verse is to step outside, breathe deep, and remember that even when life slows down, God is still moving.
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As we finished the trail and the sun dipped behind the trees, I felt grateful—grateful for family, for creation, and for a God who teaches through both still waters and low rivers. Hang on to that this week, my friend. Our band is taking a break from shows.
