You yourself have done this plenty of times, spoken words that clarify, encouraged those who were about to quit. Your words have put stumbling people on their feet, put fresh hope in people about to collapse. [Job 4:3-4 (MSG)]
While reading about one man’s trek along the Appalachian Trail, I came upon a new term: “trail magic.” A tradition along the Appalachian Trail and other long distance trails, trail magic is an unexpected act of kindness and can take many forms: snacks handed out at a trail crossing, cold drinks left in a stream, rides to or from nearby towns, a night’s stay at a home, a cook-out at a shelter, packages of ibuprofen or even an impromptu concert along the trail. Trail magic seems to serendipitously occur when a hiker needs it most: when his spirits are lowest, his legs weariest, or his supplies nearly depleted! There is also another kind of trail magic of which many hikers are unaware. Trail magic occurs when volunteers clear fallen trees and branches from the trail, paint blazes on trees, repair shelters or cut back poison ivy. Those who offer trail magic usually have hiked the trail themselves and know how strenuous it can be; they are known as “trail angels.”
I don’t live near any long distance trails and, while I love to hike, long distance hiking is not on my bucket list. Nevertheless, I can be a trail angel and so can you. A through hike on the Appalachian Trail is about 2,200 miles; it is grueling, challenging and lasts several months. Our walk through life can also be grueling, challenging and can last several decades. We have opportunities every day to be trail angels to those we encounter on our journey.
A friend, another church photographer, recently shared a “trail angel” moment and she didn’t even know she’d been an angel until it was over. We both love zooming in on the face of one of our church singers. She is absolutely beautiful, not only because of her features (although she is lovely), but because of the joy she radiates as she sings her praises to the Lord. We both try to capture her radiance but it seems to elude our cameras; that radiance, however, enhances the worship experience of all who see her. Recently, after church, my friend approached this woman to tell her how much she appreciates her singing and the way she shares her love of the Lord with us all. To my friend’s surprise, this beautiful woman got misty and shed a tear. It had been a difficult week for her. She’d been running on empty and needed encouragement and kind words. My friend’s message gave her a spiritual recharge just when she required it most! Those few words were trail magic for her spirit and fortified her for the challenging days ahead.
What little kindnesses can we leave along the trail of life for God’s children? Are there ways we can make that trek easier for our fellow travelers; are there obstacles we can clear or ways we can help them find their way? How can we lift their spirits or brighten their day’s walk? We don’t need to be hikers or find a long distance trail to be trail angels; we have that opportunity every day right where we are. What gift can we leave for those who might pass our way?
Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love. [St. Therese de Lisieux]
