Stepping stones…____ _____ ______

A wise person is careful and stays out of trouble.

But a foolish person is quick to act and careless.

Proverbs 14:16 ICB

There will always be rocks in the road ahead of us.

They will be stumbling blocks or stepping stones; it all depends on how you use them.

Friedrich Nietzsche

When hiking in spring in the mountains, running water is often everywhere!  Melting snow creates the necessity for many water crossings of rivulets, streams, and rivers.  When on more remote trails, one may have to improvise to safely get across, but sometimes there will be stepping stones carefully placed to get across a waterway. Even then, one must exercise caution as the rocks may be slippery due to water or ice, may be uneven, and may be spaced an awkward space apart.  A slip can simply mean wet feet or it can be more serious if a twisted or broken ankle. Still, without stepping stones, the obstacle of running water would make it difficult or impossible to continue onward.

 When we are moving toward a goal in life, we usually have many “stepping stones” along the way.  Some are easy and pleasant, such as meeting with others who can help us as we move forward or perhaps learning new skills which are building blocks for next steps. Some stones can trip you up if you’re not careful. These might include failing an important test or the voice of a negative person who discourages you.  The key is to carefully use each stepping stone, giving special attention to navigating the more challenging stepping stones. 

As you journey through life, may you use stepping stones to move ahead even when there is a bit of a barrier in the way.  Don’t let fear stop you, but be wise and careful as you move forward.