LIFE'S TRAMP (HIKE)

Life is like a tramping trip and should everything go well

We’ll sit down at the end; share the stories we can tell.

We’ll remember all the hardship when we started on that day

Because we lost our map and couldn’t find our way.

Though there may be others, so we can laugh and talk

The things you suffer differ; it’s an individual walk.

Some can climb the mountain while others fall apart.

Some can’t handle mud and quickly they loose heart.

By far the hardest part is when you set off on up the track,

You’re unfit and inexperienced and there’s too much in your pack.

You haven’t learned the way to measure out your pace,

And instead of going steady you treat it like a race.

First up there’s the bluff that never seems to end,

And constantly you hope the top, is just around the bend.

There’s blisters, aching muscles and your shoulder straps give pain.

Uncomfortably the sweat runs down, and your back can feel the strain.

I’ve seen some turn around, to continue, unprepared,

They found the obstacles and risk, a challenge to be feared.

But worse still is the next day the price for missing training,

And not only that, the weather’s rough and raining.

It’s different now to starting, in all you gear impressing.

The third day’s muscle aches are really quite distressing.

There’re ravines that get your knees, and climbs that get your thighs,

Mostly you’re just puffing, though occasionally you sigh.

Your lungs just stress to get some air though it’s everywhere around

So you focus on the end, of the journey that you’re bound.

It’s not all bad; you’ll climb the heights of rapture as you view,

Amazing panoramas only seen by just a few.

Waterfalls and mossy banks, as the sunshine filters through,

Mountains, streams and gentle glades and coves of glistening blue.

Towering cliffs and thundering seas, cloud swirling on the tops,

Valley mists, and rapids, and impressive rock outcrops.

Sometimes you’re damaged by a fall, and hope that some ones near,

So you can ask for help and comfort, and ease the burden that you bear.

You’d gladly lend a hand, to pull them up a bank,

Or warn them of the bog, and the mud where you just sank.

Is it easy? No!  There’re troubles on the way,

But it’s a journey you must make, at the start you just can’t stay.

Be encouraged it does ease up, as your body slowly strengthens,

You can enjoy the view, as you speed the pace and your stride begins to lengthen.

It’s only towering mountains, and cliffs that seem to fall,

That cause you now to strain and make you give your all.

One day upon the mountain top will be the finished story,

As we step off into Jesus arms and He takes us into glory.