Keep Climbing

My grandson came flying up the beach house stairs with a beautiful shell clutched tightly in his hand. He couldn’t wait to show us his treasure. Just a few steps from the top, his foot caught the edge of a stair. Down he went, banging both shins hard against the wooden steps. Tears filled his eyes as he held his legs. There was no blood. But there were bruises that would remind him of his fall for days to come.

After a little ice and a little time, he was back to his normal beach shenanigans. As I watched him, I wondered how many times I’ve done the same thing. Not on a staircase, but in life. God opens a door. A new opportunity appears. Healing begins. A relationship starts mending. A dream finally seems within reach. Then when we can see the top of the stairs, we forget there are crucial steps remaining. Every step matters.

Sometimes our greatest stumbles don’t happen because we’re headed in the wrong direction. They happen because we’re moving in the right direction too quickly. Isaiah wrote, “He who believes shall not make haste.” (Isaiah 28:16)

What a gentle reminder.

God is never in a hurry, even when we are. He cares as much about how we climb as where we’re going.

If you’ve stumbled lately while pursuing something good, don’t mistake the bruise for failure. A stumble is not the same as turning back. It may simply be God’s reminder to slow your pace, steady your footing, and keep climbing.