The Narrow Gate – Focusing on the Beauty Beyond the Obstacle

The following short story is from my fifth blog post from way back in September 2011. I hope you will be inspired by Mike like I am. He continues to inspire me every single day…

It’s called, The Narrow Gate

Today, while Mike and I were out for a bike ride, we had to go through a narrow gate to get to a park on the other side of a long chainlink fence. Mike was ahead of me and didn’t seem to notice the narrow gate—he didn’t even flinch. He just glided right through with confidence. As I approached the gate, I became a little shaky even though I knew I could clear it no problem. So, I  focused on looking through the gate and not right at it. Immediately I was fine. I sailed through with ease. 

In the past, I have focused on the narrow gate and have had trouble manoeuvring through, even to the point of having to stop, put my feet on the ground, and push my way through—inch by inch, on the tippy toes of my shoes.

As we cycled in the park, I pondered the narrow gate that led to the beautiful, wide open space, and thought how it kind of illustrates obstacles in life. Obstacles can cause us to feel less confident, worried, anxious, and afraid. But looking through [or beyond] obstacles [not at them], can make all of those negative feelings fade away, and draw our attention to the beauty of what’s beyond. 

Mike is doing very well at looking through… over, or around the obstacles ALS has presented in his life so far. The power of prayer and positive thinking, and his strong faith in God, gives him the strength and the ability to look right through the narrow gate every single day.

Oswald Chambers says, Fill your mind with the thought that God is there. And once your mind is truly filled with that thought, when you experience difficulties it will be as easy as breathing for you to remember, “My heavenly Father knows all about this!” 

The above quote is from my very first post called, What is ALS Anyway?

June is ALS awareness month! This is our eleventh year participating in the Walk to End ALS. Due to COVID-19, there will be no in-person events this year. Virtual events in support of the Walk to End ALS will take place on Saturday, June 19, OR any day you choose to walk. I’ll be walking most days in June and have a personal goal of walking 150 plus kilometres throughout the month.

Click here if you’d like to sponsor me and/or join our team, Team I Like Mike and Randy, to raise funds along with us. Funds raised go to The ALS Society of BC.