Mountains and Flowers

I'm in the middle of a long journey. And I've felt stuck in the middle of this long journey for a very...long time. I wanted to share a conversation with God I had in my heart. A conversation that was way overdue.

"What are you doing?"
"Is that you, God?"
"It's me."
Grunting. "Grrr. God, I'm stuck on this mountain."
"I see that."
"No, I don't think you get it. It's a really sticky mountain! Why did you make it so sticky?"
"I didn't make it sticky."
"But its covered in tar."
"Think back to who covered it in tar."
Hangs head. "I think I did."
"I watched you do it, my child."
"Why didn't you stop me."
"You seemed pretty determined to cover that mountain. Did you think it would go away?"
Blushes. "I thought maybe it would help me get over it. The last mountain was too slippery. I kept falling."
Chuckles. "I remember that mountain."
"And do you remember the one before that?"
"The brick mountain. How could I forget? You kept banging your head against it."
Rubs head. "Yeah, it really hurt."
"Why did you do it, then?"
"Because it wouldn't move."
"You want these mountains to move, don't you?"
Plunks down in the grass. "Yes. I don't like these mountains."
"I can tell."
"They're really frustrating. And, God, I pray that you will make them move and you don't."
"That's because I don't want to move the mountain."
"But...why?"
"Because I think there is a lesson to be learned at the bottom."
Grumbles. "I figured you would say that. What if I'm tired of learning lessons?"
Wipes tar from my cheek. "You're tired because you keep wearing yourself out."
"So what do I do?"
Sits down beside me. "I want you to be thankful."
"For the mountain?"
"Yes. And for the time that you've been given. Its precious time."
"But I don't know how to be thankful for that." Points at mountain.
"Have you ever considered planting flowers?"
"Flowers would be easier than tar."
Chuckles. "They would be a lot easier than tar. I don't think the tar makes you happy."
Shakes head. "The bricks don't either."
"So plant flowers. This mountain is not going to be moving just yet."
"But it will someday?"
"It will."
"Are we going over it or under it? Or maybe we are going around it. Can you tell me?"
"Not right now."
"Then....can you at least tell me what is on the other side?"
Squeezes my hand.
"You're not going to tell me, are you?"
Shakes head.
Sigh. "Fair enough."
"Do you believe that I have good things in store for you?"
"I do."
"Do you really?"
"Er...most of the time."
Smiles.
Hangs head. "You always lead me in the right direction, no matter how much I worry."
"But you worry anyway."
"I can't help it."
Hands me a trowel. "Yes you can."
"So you really want me to plant flowers at the bottom of this thing, don't you?"
"It would make the waiting easier."
Takes the trowel. "It would."
"You always try and scramble over these mountains. And you beg them to move. You kicked the last one."
"I think I broke my toe."
Smiles. "Did it make you feel better?"
"No."
"Did it make the mountain move?" Pulls out a flower.
"No."
"Then here. Make the best of your time while I'm working on the mountain."


Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Phil 4:5-7