My Father's Footsteps

Friday, January 3, 2025
Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "Beneath The Shadow Of The Cross"1 (Lyrics)

Psalm 17:5 – My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped. (ESV)

When I was a little girl, my parents used to take us sledding in the mountains during the winter. The fun part is sliding down the hill — the less fun part is getting back up! My dad was quite a big man: six feet six inches tall, size 13 feet. He used to create steps in the snow for us (and all the other kids) to make getting back up the hill easier. He'd dig his foot deep into the snow, one by one up the hill, creating tracks for us to follow.

This past weekend, my husband and I took our daughters out sledding. We were having a great time, but my youngest daughter was having trouble walking in the knee-deep snow. She kept complaining of being "so-o-o tired" (picture a very dramatic six-year-old saying this). I thought back to what my dad used to do for us in the snow and told her, "Follow Daddy's footsteps; walk in his tracks; it will make it so much easier!"

As this was coming out of my mouth, it hit me: Isn't this exactly what God wants for us? He wants us to follow Him. He has already created the path for us.

Proverbs 16:9 – The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. (ESV)

When we try to do things our own way and go off course from the Lord's way, our walk becomes a struggle; it gets a lot more difficult. It's like trying to walk through deep, deep snow. But when we follow Him, it's so much easier and lighter. By following Him and His path, we allow Him to direct us instead of trying to direct things ourselves.

I'm not saying that bad things will never happen and that life will always be easy. But walking in His footsteps means that we never have to go through those bad things on our own. He has created the path, even through the lowest valleys that we may experience in life. He gives us what we need in those dark times. In Psalm 119:105, the writer testifies, "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for showing us the path to take and for promising to walk that path alongside us no matter what life brings us. Forgive us when we try to do things our own way. Continually bring us back to Your path, which is easy and light. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Caroline Hultgren <hultgren.caroline@gmail.com>
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Amen, Caroline.


    So true Caroline, so true.


    Thanks Caroline. Blessings.


    This was beautiful! Keep up the great writing!
    (Ontario)


    Thanks, Caroline, for a wonderful devotion.
    I hope we’ll hear from you again soon.


    What a great analogy. Easy to visualize as many of us have been there. Thank you.


    Thanks for your great reminder, Caroline, may God continue to bless you and your family!


    Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. To God be the glory! Blessings.


    Caroline – What a splendid image you plant in my mind with your well-worded story. I especially like the multi-generational aspect.
    Grow in God’s grace as you share.


    Oh Caroline, what a wonderful devotional you’ve written! Thank you for such vivid images and relating the experiences to our walk with the Lord.
    Looking forward to your next submission!


    Good morning, Caroline,
    Thank you for the reminder that we are never alone. “But walking in His footsteps means that we never have to go through those bad things on our own.”
    Blessings!


    Good morning, Caroline
    This is so true, and God does make a path / a way for each to help follow in His steps!!
    This was a great visual. Remembering childhood sledding brought a smile to my face.
    God bless.


    Carolyn, thank you for writing. Your story reminds me of how I used to stand on my father’s shoes holding on to his leg and he would walk me backwards to where he was headed with me.
    Sometimes we are headed the wrong direction and God can walk us back when we cling to him.


    Thank you for writing this devotional.
    We know. We know. We know.
    The snow is deep.
    Thank you for reminding us that God is always with us.
    Blessings.


    Dear Carolyn,
    Thanks for the amazing Devotional today, It was perfect for the New Year. I so enjoyed it.
    Blessings to you and your family.
    Keep up the good work.
    (Ontario)


    Hi Caroline
    That was a great observation and analogy about a father’s footsteps.
    Another one I love is that the Lord didn’t make the Red Sea disappear- he made a way through it. We just have to trust and follow His lead in good times and bad. Thank you so much.
    Happy and blessed New Year.


    Thank you, Caroline, for your very positive and encouraging words in today’s devotional. Yes, the Lord sure gives us a very safe path to follow in life when we walk with Him. There surely is a “light” and brightness in our day when we follow His ways and feel very comforted in knowing He is with us. Blessings for writing and sharing the sweet story about your Dad and the path he made available to get through the snow.


    Good morning, Caroline,
    I remember the climb back up the hill, not so much when I was young; however, when I was sledding with my sons and my climb back up. I could have used those footsteps. This is definitely a wonderful reminder that God is walking with us and guiding us. Thank you for sharing your faith with others. I learn so many different ways to build my faith from others being willing to share theirs. New perspectives are important to help to build those guiding lights. Happy New Year and enjoy those daughters and those wonderful memories. Blessings.


    Hello Caroline,
    Thank you for yesterday’s devotional. I enjoyed it very much and of course we need to hear that message over and over again. I don’t remember seeing your name before as a writer. I hope you will continue to contribute devotionals.
    May God bless you and your family, and your writing!


    What a great lesson! Of course, there’s always “Good King Wenceslas”.
    “Mark my footsteps good my page,
    tread thou in them boldly,
    thou shall find the winter’s rage
    treat thy blood less co-oldly”.
    Sounds like you all had a lot of fun.
    Here in BC, it’s rain, rain, and more rain!
    Bless you Caroline!
    (CA)


    Thank you, Caroline. What a great image of you all walking in your father’s footsteps and how that reminds us to walk in our Father’s steps.


    Caroline, thank you for your reminder about the path we need to follow.
    In Hungarian there is a simple four-word paraphrase of Proverbs 16:9 which translates: “Man plans, God completes”.
    God Bless.

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