The same path. The Shepherd’s path.

I've lived in Cape Town for almost eight years. That's the longest I've lived anywhere since I was 18. We got dealt a few hard blows upon arrival in the city we left everything for... so hard my stomach twisted in knots at the sight of that big, beautiful Table Mountain.

Eight years later, I've learned to love this city through the lens of special needs parenting and "a church to call home, a family to call our own". I know how the weather changes based on what side of the mountain you're on, to check tide times and wind speeds, and how to navigate the traffic.

This afternoon, the wind was whipping at our house. Wyatt's allergies were flaring. He and Benjamin were struggling in their own ways. Frank the puppy was snagging shirts off the clothesline and un-landscaping our front yard. And one person in our family had a classic case of teenage angst. I announced,"We're going on a nature walk." And, nine attempts to leave without Frank escaping, we were off!

I drove us right up next to the mountain, where I knew there'd be no wind. It was right by the first place we lived in Cape Town. The hardest place. We had only walked that path in our darkest days before, usually with eight-year old Lifa wearing a cape.

Today, in the city we love, that mountain called Table reminded me God prepared the table before us in the presence of our enemies. When the path was hard and the shadows were dark, He was still there. Those dark days, nights and years are where we built our faith's endurance, where God became our strength. That same hard path was the one that we returned to today with wonder, awe and consuming gratitude. I led my children beside quiet waters. Just as He leads me. We climbed tree stumps, threw river rocks, and enjoyed the peace of His green pasture.

I'm writing this tonight for those on a hard, dark path. Stay with your Good Shepherd. He'll make good of that treacherous valley you're enduring. Only He knows how. You just have to stick with the Shepherd.