Walk Together

"and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds," Hebrews 10:24 (NAS)
Knowing I was out of shape, I accepted an invitation to hike five miles with my cousins.  The mountainous scenery was guaranteed to be amazing, it's always a blast to be with the cousins, and how hard could it be?
Sliding through the first several slushy steps and already lagging behind, I began to fear that I had made a terrible mistake.  But I was determined not to wimp out in front of (or, behind) the boys, so I told myself, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can," and trudged on.  Further along the trail, the path became less treacherous and it seemed I could do it after all, as long as we stopped here and there to rest.
The cousins made conversation and photographed the landscape while I paused time and again to breathe.  They let me take the middle so I wouldn't get lost.  Cousin Leader gave me a hand to cross a stream, and found me a sturdy walking stick.  Then the trail steepened up.  My quads started screaming, my lungs caught fire, and my heartbeat knocked holes in my ribs.
Just when I opened my mouth to give up, Cousin Rear Guard said, "You're doing great, you're going to make it!"  Twice more I almost quit, and before I could say it, the same encouragement came from behind me.  I chose to listen to him instead of my own weakness, and it turned out, he was right.
The return trip was much easier, in spite of four or five spills on the way down.  Each time I landed in the snow, the cousins waited while I regained my feet, ready to help if necessary.
I wouldn't have gone by myself.  And had I tried, I wouldn't have finished.
Walk together.
"but if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:7 (NAS)