My nervous stomach bubbled at the sight of my friends standing so far below on the ground. I wondered how in the world I was going to be able to maneuver through the rest of this course! Steeling myself for the next section of ropes, I glanced at my helper and guide, Tim. Staring deeply into his eyes, I muttered, "Let's go. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This was my mantra for the duration of the ropes course. With resolve I let go of one hand, then the other, to reach for my next grip of strong, cable rope. Tim smiled and gently admonished, "You can do it, Kathy. And when you finish this course, you will have learned much. Come on. You can do it. Just look into my eyes and put one front in front of the other ..." Slowly and carefully I began walking across one cable of rope with two stabilizing ropes to hold onto. When I reached the end of this section, I breathed a sigh of relief and once again, held on for dear life to another massive tree trunk. "I'm safe now," I muttered to no one in particular.
At Camp Barnabas there is a high ropes course that many of the campers enjoy tackling. Even those with special needs are able to walk through this course ~ with assistance as needed. The point is that most of the campers are able to journey through the ropes course in about 25 to 30 minutes. Each climber is securely attached to a pulley system that prevents them from falling to the ground. We are all secure because this course has so many checks and precautions. But when you're high in the trees it's a little more complicated. The climbers are safe and secure, but the mind battles the reality of standing so high off the ground. For me, my fear of heights developed later in life, but I was determined to overcome my fear by walking through the entire course.
Two grueling hours after beginning my first climb, I was finally at the end of this ropes course. I was so glad to be almost done. Tim instructed me to sit down on a small platform-like swing and to let my legs dangle. "We're going to count to three, Kathy. Hang on tight and enjoy the swing ... one, two, three! ..." My stomach did a flip-flop as I barreled in an arc across the sky. Holding my eyes tightly shut, I felt the cool breeze whip across my face. I heard Rebekah's little girl voice called up to me, "Open your eyes, Mommy! See how high you're flying!"
With her encouragement I opened my eyes to behold a beautiful sight. Silently I glided up, then down, flying just below and up to tree branches, then backward. My swing slowly brought me closer and closer to my friends on the ground. Cheers were said by all, ...I thanked Tim for walking the course with me, then I was left alone to contemplate my grueling, yet strangely satisfying, encounter in the trees.
Someone snapped a picture of me walking the ropes in the trees. I'm smiling!
I learned many lessons that afternoon:
* Life can be difficult and scary, but taking one-step-at-a-time helps it not be so scary.
* God provides rest stops along the way for rest and, for our enjoyment.
* When we are able to walk through the challenges of life, we can feel a sense of accomplishment.
* God may allow us to fall, but only for so far.
* Some segments of life are more challenging than others.
* God often provides unexpected moments of joy to help us along our way.
* God provides rest stops along the way for rest and, for our enjoyment.
* When we are able to walk through the challenges of life, we can feel a sense of accomplishment.
* God may allow us to fall, but only for so far.
* Some segments of life are more challenging than others.
* God often provides unexpected moments of joy to help us along our way.
