I was fortunate enough to be in the northeast for the nor’easter that started on Thursday night. Almost a foot of snow fell overnight–something rarely experienced in my home state of Arkansas. Even in a place like Syracuse, New York that is well equipped to deal with snow, removal takes a minute or two–especially when snow is still falling.

The morning after the snow began, I needed to make a two-block trek to a CVS to get a few things we forgot to take along on our trip.  Such a short trek is usually just a hop, skip and a jump away, but there is no hopping, skipping or jumping when there are about 10 inches of snow on the ground and sidewalks.

The first block was pretty difficult to maneuver, so it was a welcome surprise to find that on the next block, enough people had made the same journey that a path had been cut through the snow. It is much easier to maneuver in winter weather when someone clears the way for you.

Life can be difficult to maneuver, and although we can’t see the footsteps, it’s important for us to remember that wherever we go, God goes before us.

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8 

I look behind me and you’re there,
    then up ahead and you’re there, too  Psalm 139:5 

For the LORD will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard. Is 52:12

God goes before us.

No matter what life may throw at us, God is there–before us and behind us. Clearing the path and backing us up all at the same time. We can’t always see it, but we need to remember it. We need to believe it.  Because knowing that someone has cleared the way ahead of us makes life a little easier to navigate.