April 17
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14
It was a glorious early summer day, when the sky was robin’s egg blue, the air dry and comfy and a slight breeze gave us reason to believe it would not get too hot. Here we were in New Hampshire climbing Mount Monadnock, the so-called “most climbed mountain” in the east because of its ease. Well! You could have fooled me! Not halfway up, I felt as though I was going to die, as I kept lagging behind! God love my husband who lingered back with me, knowing the physical challenges I was coping with. But the kids and their friends, jubilant and excited, marched forth, singing, chatting, laughing and just enjoying every moment! We were not well acquainted with the couple accompanying us, and so did my best to try keeping up and carrying on.
Soon, some of the younger kids were complaining about the usual kids stuff, “I’m hungry!” “Where is the bathroom?” “Can we go back now?” Etc. Inside, I was agreeing with all of it as the trail became more challenging - the terrain steepened, slippery rocks and brush were underfoot, there were fallen insect laden trees and huge grey boulders to navigate over, and the temperature soared as did our body temps! The little guys tripped and fell, got bitten by mosquitoes and all the typical happenings that occur in the woods, did. Slowly, one by one the kids were beginning to tire and complain more. Our goal was to make it to the top before we had lunch and we would stop half way to snack and refresh with water. Well, that didn’t happen! Having parental styles that were different, the friends’ kids had their lunch, snack and all their drinks before we were halfway there! In their excitement to get to the top, our kids were willing to wait until arriving there to eat.
Three quarters of the way up, there was not a snowflake’s chance in Hades that it seemed I would make it to the top. Everyone stopped with me. As I prayed for guidance, I encouraged those who wanted to continue, to do so. I made the choice to remain where we were with a couple of the tired-out kids, yet deep down, somehow it didn’t feel right. Then one of the other adults began talking about the indescribable view from the top, that it was not much further, and asked me how I would feel to come this distance and miss what was just ahead. How could I give up? She had filled me with hope and reminded me of the reason we were doing this. With everyone fatigued and the pace slowed, we continued on. Although it was with great difficulty I did also, one step at a time.
Suddenly up ahead, our son Tom shouted out with excitement, “Mom! Wait ‘til you see this!” When the vista appeared in front of me, I couldn’t help but cry. The beauty was just unbelievable! The overcoming, incredible sense of awe was like nothing I’d experienced before! We stood there is silence as though in a sanctuary, my Husband, the kids and this extraordinary couple. Even the kids were quiet as they looked out in amazement at the landscape dotted with blue lakes and green covered hills – God’s beauty! There were valleys sprinkled with villages showing off stark white church spires against the lush, green background of trees. We talked about all the people down there busy with life, yet from up there it all appeared peaceful, calm and ordered.
We all learned some valuable lessons that day; perseverance when one wants to give up for starters and the “prize” when we carry on with hope. And as we sat on rocks overlooking this wondrous sight, we shared what we had to eat with our friends and I couldn’t help but think of the Lord’s Table and the sharing of Him at it. I had felt so empty and in her sharing, my friend filled me with hope. The kids also learned a lesson about sharing what we have when someone has nothing, no matter how much we may want it all. But most of all, I have thought about how that climb represents our journey of faith, which can be a strenuous climb. How we question what is ahead, what God has in store for us when we have moments of despair. For me, in this experience God gave a concrete sign about our journey of Faith and the glorious sight waiting at its completion. In the many challenges tackled throughout years that have followed, many times I have reflected upon the memory of that day!
God of all creation, help us to look for You in the ordinary events of our lives and find hope to hold on to. And on this Holy Thursday, as we partake in the Feast of the Last Supper, may we remember those who wait for us to share that hope with them.
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14
It was a glorious early summer day, when the sky was robin’s egg blue, the air dry and comfy and a slight breeze gave us reason to believe it would not get too hot. Here we were in New Hampshire climbing Mount Monadnock, the so-called “most climbed mountain” in the east because of its ease. Well! You could have fooled me! Not halfway up, I felt as though I was going to die, as I kept lagging behind! God love my husband who lingered back with me, knowing the physical challenges I was coping with. But the kids and their friends, jubilant and excited, marched forth, singing, chatting, laughing and just enjoying every moment! We were not well acquainted with the couple accompanying us, and so did my best to try keeping up and carrying on.
Soon, some of the younger kids were complaining about the usual kids stuff, “I’m hungry!” “Where is the bathroom?” “Can we go back now?” Etc. Inside, I was agreeing with all of it as the trail became more challenging - the terrain steepened, slippery rocks and brush were underfoot, there were fallen insect laden trees and huge grey boulders to navigate over, and the temperature soared as did our body temps! The little guys tripped and fell, got bitten by mosquitoes and all the typical happenings that occur in the woods, did. Slowly, one by one the kids were beginning to tire and complain more. Our goal was to make it to the top before we had lunch and we would stop half way to snack and refresh with water. Well, that didn’t happen! Having parental styles that were different, the friends’ kids had their lunch, snack and all their drinks before we were halfway there! In their excitement to get to the top, our kids were willing to wait until arriving there to eat.
Three quarters of the way up, there was not a snowflake’s chance in Hades that it seemed I would make it to the top. Everyone stopped with me. As I prayed for guidance, I encouraged those who wanted to continue, to do so. I made the choice to remain where we were with a couple of the tired-out kids, yet deep down, somehow it didn’t feel right. Then one of the other adults began talking about the indescribable view from the top, that it was not much further, and asked me how I would feel to come this distance and miss what was just ahead. How could I give up? She had filled me with hope and reminded me of the reason we were doing this. With everyone fatigued and the pace slowed, we continued on. Although it was with great difficulty I did also, one step at a time.
Suddenly up ahead, our son Tom shouted out with excitement, “Mom! Wait ‘til you see this!” When the vista appeared in front of me, I couldn’t help but cry. The beauty was just unbelievable! The overcoming, incredible sense of awe was like nothing I’d experienced before! We stood there is silence as though in a sanctuary, my Husband, the kids and this extraordinary couple. Even the kids were quiet as they looked out in amazement at the landscape dotted with blue lakes and green covered hills – God’s beauty! There were valleys sprinkled with villages showing off stark white church spires against the lush, green background of trees. We talked about all the people down there busy with life, yet from up there it all appeared peaceful, calm and ordered.
We all learned some valuable lessons that day; perseverance when one wants to give up for starters and the “prize” when we carry on with hope. And as we sat on rocks overlooking this wondrous sight, we shared what we had to eat with our friends and I couldn’t help but think of the Lord’s Table and the sharing of Him at it. I had felt so empty and in her sharing, my friend filled me with hope. The kids also learned a lesson about sharing what we have when someone has nothing, no matter how much we may want it all. But most of all, I have thought about how that climb represents our journey of faith, which can be a strenuous climb. How we question what is ahead, what God has in store for us when we have moments of despair. For me, in this experience God gave a concrete sign about our journey of Faith and the glorious sight waiting at its completion. In the many challenges tackled throughout years that have followed, many times I have reflected upon the memory of that day!
God of all creation, help us to look for You in the ordinary events of our lives and find hope to hold on to. And on this Holy Thursday, as we partake in the Feast of the Last Supper, may we remember those who wait for us to share that hope with them.
Copyright© 2014 Kathleen A. Matson