Keep Climbing

I totally recommend climbing Clingmans Dome at 27 weeks pregnant. 😅

Visitors gather near the top of Clingmans Dome, taking in the breathtaking views above the lush forest canopy under a cloudy sky.

I only saw one other pregnant lady there.  I was expecting to hear a “Way to go, mama!” or something of the sort from a passerby, but the real MVP of the day? My husband.  Our youngest had a low-grade fever and was struggling, so he carried her all the way up and all the way back down.  What a champ!

We walked 0.5 miles up this narrow road on an incline, gaining 332-360 feet in elevation.  Oh, you could feel it!

When we finally made it to the top of the tower, we stood at the highest point in Tennessee—6,644’ in elevation!  Panting, sweating, and out of breath, we all smiled and dropped our jaws in awe of the breathtaking view.

We did something hard together as a family.

We bonded through the experience.

We came through victorious, having reached the goal. 

On top of Clingmans Dome, we gaze over a vast sea of evergreen trees, with the mountainous landscape and soaring clouds above.

I’m so glad we did it.  The journey was arduous, but we accepted the challenge.  We left there feeling like we were on top of the world.

This makes me think of Jesus’ path.

It’s narrow and few will find it, because it’s not easy.

It’s difficult to lay down selfish desires.

The pride.

The lust.

The doing whatever makes you feel good mindset.

But here's the truth: those seemingly easy things will never satisfy you or move you to the fullness of life that Jesus has for you. 

He has called to do the hard things.

His ways are higher.

And He’s called us upward with Him.

The best part?

He’s been on the journey.

And He sent the Holy Spirit to help you navigate the terrain.

To light the path ahead of you.

So stay the course, friend.

Keep climbing.

Take those deep breaths.

Push through in faith.

Your reward at the end is greater than any short-lived detour can offer!

“I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us." —Philippians 3:14