This past summer I had this great day and experience.
Have I mentioned my fear of falling? Of Heights?
On our trip out west, our family took a day hike to beautiful Sawtooth Lake just outside Stanley, Idaho.
I did mention my fear, right?
On the way up the mountain, my dad suggested each of us to look for a hiking stick that would help us along the way
I found this beautiful five foot branch that was light but strong and very straight. It had almost a natural handle at the four foot mark that my hand fit into perfectly. I even managed to whittle off a few protruding pieces to make it smooth
At mile three my dad pulled me aside and told me to bring up the rear in case anyone had trouble on the upcoming ledge drop offs and switchbacks
My heart switched into an new level of anxiety.My knees get wobbly just thinking about steep drop offs at certain heights.My mind recalled that I had been through worse before, plus I had this rod in my hand to steady me through the climb ahead
For the next 20 or so minutes that rod would find a firm spot on the trail to steady me
This rod and I developed a serious trust relationship during these minutes that lasted throughout the hike
As we approached the end of the journey later in the day, I thought about this piece of wood in which I had placed my trust. It may sound a little silly, but that rod gave me confidence to finish the course
Perhaps I may have thought differently if the stick would have broken and I had tumbled off the edge!
Makes me think about things I sort of implicitly trust on a regular basis that affect my life:
like when an airplane takes off and I trust my life to a pilot who may be having a bad day
Like when I take a sharp turn in my car and trust that my axle or tires do not break
That a driver in an oncoming car on a two lane highway does not fall asleep and cross the line in to my lane
And so on…
I realize I can live life with a multitude of fears and miss one the most beautiful places on earth at Sawtooth Lake
Not get in my car
Not get on the plane
Not drive on the windy roads to get to Idaho
Life requires trust
There is a kind of trust we have in others and things like a stick that require some wisdom
Then there is a trust, an unconditional trust, that I must have in God
As David says in Psalm 23-God is with me and that His rod and staff will comfort me
I will put my trust in Him
He cares for me
Life happens
Sometimes it starts with picking up a stick
Have I mentioned my fear of falling? Of Heights?
On our trip out west, our family took a day hike to beautiful Sawtooth Lake just outside Stanley, Idaho.
I did mention my fear, right?
On the way up the mountain, my dad suggested each of us to look for a hiking stick that would help us along the way
I found this beautiful five foot branch that was light but strong and very straight. It had almost a natural handle at the four foot mark that my hand fit into perfectly. I even managed to whittle off a few protruding pieces to make it smooth
At mile three my dad pulled me aside and told me to bring up the rear in case anyone had trouble on the upcoming ledge drop offs and switchbacks
My heart switched into an new level of anxiety.My knees get wobbly just thinking about steep drop offs at certain heights.My mind recalled that I had been through worse before, plus I had this rod in my hand to steady me through the climb ahead
For the next 20 or so minutes that rod would find a firm spot on the trail to steady me
This rod and I developed a serious trust relationship during these minutes that lasted throughout the hike
As we approached the end of the journey later in the day, I thought about this piece of wood in which I had placed my trust. It may sound a little silly, but that rod gave me confidence to finish the course
Perhaps I may have thought differently if the stick would have broken and I had tumbled off the edge!
Makes me think about things I sort of implicitly trust on a regular basis that affect my life:
like when an airplane takes off and I trust my life to a pilot who may be having a bad day
Like when I take a sharp turn in my car and trust that my axle or tires do not break
That a driver in an oncoming car on a two lane highway does not fall asleep and cross the line in to my lane
And so on…
I realize I can live life with a multitude of fears and miss one the most beautiful places on earth at Sawtooth Lake
Not get in my car
Not get on the plane
Not drive on the windy roads to get to Idaho
Life requires trust
There is a kind of trust we have in others and things like a stick that require some wisdom
Then there is a trust, an unconditional trust, that I must have in God
As David says in Psalm 23-God is with me and that His rod and staff will comfort me
I will put my trust in Him
He cares for me
Life happens
Sometimes it starts with picking up a stick
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