Adventures

Two weeks ago I traveled with my co-workers to a campground area in Newport, Tennessee for a retreat/staff meeting of sorts. While we did work, we also adventured a little bit. I haven't had the chance to enter my thoughts from this time...so here they are...

June 3, 2008
So, we tried to hike up the mountain last night (we being 5 other women). We didn't leave until 8 pm EDT so it was close to sunset. We were only heading up to a lookout a mile or so up the hill where you can look over into North Carolina. We thought there was a clearing to see from, so we kept walking. Well...(do you see where this is going)...It got dark. The worst part was I ended up getting separated between the two small groups we had formed.*

I'm by myself on the side of a minor mountain. Did I forget to mention that this is basically the edge of the Smoky Mountains? We have bears (wildcats, snakes, spiders the size of VWs, etc) in East Tennessee. So, I began heading back down by myself when I could no longer hear my friends ahead of me on the trail. At this point in my journey, I discovered a few things about myself.

1) We get so intent upon goals that sometimes we leave the safety of support. I and the two friends ahead of me, were so intent upon reaching the ambiguous "stopping point" that we got separated. I also noticed that I really didn't enjoy what was actually a glorious sunset. We really shouldn't spend life so goal oriented that we live utterly separated from friends and support systems.**

2)Apparently, I panic easy! It seems our true natures can come out when we are left on the side of a mountain in the dark alone (who knew). I made great use of the time to beg God to keep my stupidity from getting me killed (tripping over something; running into a bear, etc.).

3) It gets dark fast when you aren't paying attention. I'll let you make the life lesson connections.

4) God has a wicked sense of humor. My Psalm for this morning's devotion. Psalm 121:1-8 "I look up to the mountains-does my help come from there. My help comes from the LORD who made heaven and earth...." (NLT). Thank you, God for the reminder that you are with me, even on the mountain.

I love the fact that I got a good work out--physically and spiritually--all by simply walking/hiking up a mountain. So, I hope I can take these lessons to heart in life.

Now...where did I put the heating pad? Climbing hills ain't easy...



*In our defense, this was a well laid trail (more like a small road that cut across the mountain), so although it was dark and, granted, dangerous from a wild animal standpoint there was little likelihood of getting lost.
**This is as high philosophy as I usually get...don't worry.