Blog.

Jesus' gaze is direct and intense, but it is not harsh or critical. I know he sees me more clearly than I see myself. "As you hiked the trail at your current pace, I noticed you left me behind. What is your hurry, dear one?" Jesus continues, "Rest is a good idea, and I would love to sit with you for a little while. You can tell me what you have been thinking about and what you have noticed as you hiked."

Finally, I come to the unremarkable, weather-worn, wooden sign. It reads "Respite Retreat," marking a path branching off the main trail and leading into the woods. With low expectations, I follow it.

I look up and see him standing on a rocky ledge where the path abruptly moves upward. I walk over to the steep incline where Jesus looks down from the ledge and extends his hand to grasp mine. Leaning on my walking stick with one hand, I reach for Jesus with the other. With a firm grip he effortlessly lifts me up and over the boulders to the place he stands. I feel his calloused hand holding mine–he doesn’t let go.

I contemplate my pack which seems to have grown bigger than I remember; it is full and bulging at the seams. I feel the tension in my chest and the knot in my gut, and I just don’t want to keep going like this... so burdened and weighed down. I see a shadowy figure approaching. The figure draws near with a steady gait, and I know it is him. How I need him, but I feel so foolish in this struggle and angst.