The Challenge. I was eight years old. We were staying at the farm of my stepmother’s parents and my brother, age 9, and I were turned loose to free range. Exploring was fun until we got to a small ravine with a balance log the only option for crossing. My brother skipped across and looked back with a sneaky smile. He knew my one foot in front of another skill wasn’t the best. When I tentatively put out one foot to take the challenge, he reached out to jiggle the log. A screamed, “NO!” was his reward. Several false dubious starts and some final promises to keep hands off and I did reach the other side. We took the long circle back home.
Decades later and I was part of a field trip to camp out with 8th graders. Avoid those situations whenever possible. The challenge for the day was to rappel down a cliff and take a glide rope to reach the other side of a stream. I watched and cheered on and then it was my turn. Motto: Never show fear! I trusted the camp guide who told me the procedure. “Just the first step is a doozy!” And it was!. I was safe but leaning backwards and he could do nothing until I righted myself. Amazingly, once I got the rhythm of push and swing, the process did work.
Fifty years past the log story. Once more with a nature time in Colorado. I was chosen over younger possible chaperones with the compliment, “You’re a survivor and will take care of the kids.” The morning run was white water rafting with the river in full spate after heavy spring rains. Four boys grabbed me for their raft. It turned out I didn’t have to paddle. My assignment was to sit in the middle seat and sway on command to help tilt as needed. I held on to the sides and closed my eyes as they whooped their way between rocks. Though it wasn’t part of the directions, they assumed forward motion was a competition. When we pulled up, they all helped me out and I was part of the grand finale back thumping.
OK, so why these made it through unscathed stories. I need them for now for some months ahead and at sometime you may need your own personal remembrances of a time in the past that gives strength to the present moment. We avoid stress when we can, yet as Robert Frost said, “The only way out is through/” And the only good way through is together. ” A brother who finally helped, a guide to hold the rope, and a gaggle of boys who welcomed me to their group. At every stage, we are given what we need for that time.
Even children become tired and need to rest, and young people trip and fall. But the people who trust the LORD will become strong again. They will rise up as an eagle in the sky; they will run and not need rest; they will walk and not become tired.
Isaiah 40:30 – 31 NCV
Let Me Tell Ya 