I hate wet feet.

Especially when they’re enclosed in wet socks.

Or when dry feet in dry socks suddenly encounter a mystery puddle on the kitchen floor. So gross.

Now, take that nasty feeling and just imagine hiking day after day through muddy terrain for two weeks or so. Appalachian Trail through hikers call the state of Vermont “Vermud” for a reason! Spring snow melt causes mud season from April to May and sometimes into June. Add extra stretches of rain through the summer, and you’ve got a recipe for soggy toes!

This year’s rainfall totals in Vermont just during the month of July broke records, with places getting four to seven and a half inches more rain than a normal July.

After hiking north through the muds of Vermont, folks were greeted with more squishy terrain in New Hampshire, where rainfall totals were also three to six inches above average.

I know many of those hikers were ready for dry ground long before they reached it! But they had to trudge through the mud first.

Hikers were not the only ones suffering from wet feet. The trees themselves were stressed out by all the extra water, with roots not having enough time to dry out over the course of the summer. Some have begun showing their displeasure by Changing Colors early!

They seem to be saying, “Enough, already! Let’s just move right along into the next season and be done with this!”

The trees may be ready for autumn, but changing colors early isn’t going to speed up the actual arrival of the season. They still have to bide their time.

Soggy Seasons

Sometimes, we feel as though we’re trudging through the muds of life with soggy feet. We wish we could get out of the swamp and onto Solid Ground right now, but we’ve got a ways to go before we get there.

Or maybe we’re certain we’re not going anywhere, but our heart is ready to jumpstart a new season before its time.

I have a few thoughts to share that may help if you find yourself in either place.

1. Whether on a muddy trail or mighty mountaintop, a child of God is never hidden from God’s sight or separated from his presence.

You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.

If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the grave, you are there. If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me. I could ask the darkness to hide me and the light around me to become night— but even in darkness I cannot hide from you. To you the night shines as bright as day. Darkness and light are the same to you.

Psalm 139:2-3, 8-12 NLT

2. Perhaps the other side of your soggy season is meant to be a sign of hope for others.

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.

Psalm 40:1-3 NLT

3. We can’t rush the process! Getting from here to there takes both steps and time, both of which are in God’s hands.

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.

Psalm 37:23-24

Friend, you are not alone on this journey of life. Look to your Creator and Sustainer, and trust his plans and timing for your steps and your seasons. The beauty of what lies ahead just may take your breath away!