The Climb

Summer 2014 is in the books and what a great vacation it was!  This year included glorious bookends-- starting with time on a rocky Greek island and wrapping up in the Rocky Mountains.  Thankfully, there were plenty of lazy summer days between the two trips.  Now it's time to set the alarm and get back to work.  Tomorrow morning teachers report to school to begin the climb of the 2014-2015 school year.  In some ways, climbing is a good picture of the journey we begin with a new classroom of students.

Just last week, our family completed the annual hike to the peak of Mt. Crested Butte, with enough exposure at 12,000+ elevation to keep those scared of heights far, far away.  Every year we debate whether to repeat this exercise, considering some family members have done it a dozen times or more.  Typically, as I beg everyone to tackle the mountain trail again, I'm faced with some opposition.  "We don't have to do it again, do we?!"  "Let's skip this year!"  "I've checked that off my bucket list."  According to Mom, my brother faces some of the same reluctance from family members.  Perhaps it reminds us of our father?  As one who has always been very scared of heights, my Dad coached me up that rocky trail year after year...... much like he encouraged me to do difficult things through all of life with a hopeful and positive perspective.  After convincing Kyle and a couple of my girls to come along, I got to thinking about why this annual tradition is so important to me and I think Dad's lasting influence has something to do with it.  Part of me believes-- if I can conquer that fear, which causes me to panic near the peak, I can face anything the Lord brings into my life during the following year.  It is symbolic of the challenging step by step journey we face each day.  Over a decade ago, my father selected specific rocks for me to grab on to and stable boulders for my feet.  He pushed me to the top.  After a number of successful years, I gained confidence and needed less support, but this year I froze with my head spinning while trying to find a rock that didn't move and also being fearful of gaps between rocks.  Anxiously, I grabbed onto the largest and most stable surface I could find and literally talked myself up the peak with Kyle right behind me. 

So,  as I begin another school year, on the anniversary of Dad's tragic accident, I'm especially thankful for the blessing of a father who inspired me to push myself and I'm also grateful for the only stable rock in this world, the LORD God almighty.  This year He brings another precious group of students into my life.  We will climb to see and experience new things, much like the stunning view from the peak of a mountain.  We will tackle the spectacular world of reading and writing and we will have so much fun on this challenging journey together. 

"I love you, O LORD, my strength.  The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised."  Psalm 18: 1-3