In His Steps - Day 5

The last two days have been full of both highs and lows for me.  With Jose taken out by blisters and the rains coming, we decided I would to try to blaze a trail across the Cliffs of Arbel to get to Tiberias and rent a car. 

While lost and alone on the cliff, and hiking through thistles and thorns, I had to decide whether or not to climb through a barbed wire fence to try and find the trail again. I started saying aloud, “Why am I here? Why am I doing this? I have a perfectly fine and comfortable house in Fresno!“ 

Not long after I went through the fence and found the trail, I was singing songs of joy and saying prayers of gratitude as I looked over the beautiful Sea of Galilee and valley. I had so many improbable coincidences happen that day I felt like God was actually joking around with me.

Driving to Capernaum and standing in the middle of the synagogue where Jesus preached and healed, I felt special to be able to share, in some way, with these incredible events.

Reflection: In what highs and lows and seeming coincidences may God be trying to get your attention?

Mark 1:21-22 ”They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.“

Check out what else happened there in Mark 1:21-34.

List of photos:

1. Hiking the Cliffs of Arbel to pick up the car in Tiberias. 
2. Cool cliff clouds. 
3. Deciding if and how to go through the barbed wire fence, with Tiberias in the background
4. Arriving at the Sea of Galilee four days after hiking out of Nazareth.  
5. Night horses in our cabin’s front yard. 
6. Morning coffee with our new horse neighbors. 
7. $120 for the night included breakfast brought to the cabin. 
8. The synagogue in Capernaum, near Peter house, where Jesus preached and did the miracles described in Mark 1. 
9. The car rental agency’s dog has a serious case of fluffiness.