This past weekend, my husband and I visited Quebec City in Canada. Living in the Northeast it is not too far a drive to our neighbors in the north. Walking through Old Quebec City is fantastic. It is such a lovely place with the best views of the St Lawrence River, fascinating history of the English and French, delicious food and a very European feeling about the walled city.

We stayed in a neighborhood just outside the UNESCO world heritage assigned city (the only fortified walled city in North America, north of Mexico). Walking from the lower old part of Quebec City to the upper part- we came across this retaining wall. So much of the city one either has to trod steep inclines or ascend multiple (and I mean multiple) steps. When we were walking back to our airbnb I noticed the above. I was astonished. Because of the incredible boulders and rock structure there was probably no way or reason to move it. There were so many places that looked like that- structures or outcroppings on boulders. (One of the many reasons Samuel de Champlain chose the city’s location in addition to being “where the river narrows” meaning “Quebec” in Algonquin.)

So what to do? They simply just built around and on top of it. We also saw this same system on a smaller scale- there was a wooden fence surrounding a back yard. But in looking at the bottom of the fence where the structure would’ve met the ground, the fence was all cut out in half-moons and irregular shapes in order to meet the boulders that were lining the bottom.

It made me think of the adages- when life gives your lemons, make lemonade. Or, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em. We could add another one: when boulders stand in your way, just build on top.

All of us have hard rocky places in our lives. I think of loved ones who seem to have insurmountable boulders: health issues, job insecurity, financial problems, squelched plans and dreams. Situations that seem impenetrable, overwhelming, unconquerable and hopeless.

But are they?

Samuel de Champlain and Jacques Cartier before him, conquered the cliffs of Quebec, not by force but by befriending the indigenous tribes that were there. Even subsequent “conquerers” couldn’t do much with the natural fortification of the area. They and future generations had to work with what they had.

So too with the boulders in our paths, whether they are physical, emotional, spiritual or psychological- While there may be no other way to remove the obstacle, is there something that can be added to the boulder? Something that can be embraced- like a new attitude or a different dream?

God may be providing boulders, not to trip us up but to give us a bedrock on which to stand. How much more credible are we, in our sharing life with others, when we have also experienced difficulties. I think of the New Testament Apostle Paul. He had a burden in his life for which he prayed to be removed. We do not know what was his problem but we do know from his writings that it bothered him. He wanted it completely removed from his life. But it was not to be.

His description and testimony of living with the “thorn in his side”, inspired and still inspires, future generations to move along in life and not be roadblocked by this boulder. He demonstrated how to live in the face of his ongoing struggle- with gratitude, thanksgiving, and prayer.

What about you? Are you facing an insurmountable cliff in your life? Is there some way you can “embrace it” rather than allowing it to paralyze your next steps? Not ignoring the difficulties, but rather incorporating it in your journey?

The thing about cliffs- the view from the top is spectacular.