Don't Forget The Summits

          On the last night we sat around a camp fire. the kids shared metaphors they found throughout the day and we did a regular God time. I was trying to keep my eyes open and my mind alert. Ankles sore and knees bruised, I reflected on the day. Through my own thoughts I hear Madison say that God doesn't give us more than we can handle. After the day I had had, those words meant more than I could say. It felt as if God had given me as much as I could handle. Campers twisting ankles, Rain, the biggest hill with grueling false summits, busted blisters, selfish attitudes, and struggling to walk with weak ankles all piled together made for a rough day. but standing at the top of big hump, and sitting around the camp fire sipping hot chocolate, and now snuggled up in my nice warm bed, I realize that the fight was worth it. There's something about the summit that makes all the struggling worth it. I snap back into the conversation around the campfire quick enough to start mumbling on about the long day. and after all the pointless words, I said something that clicked in my heart. "Sometimes we get so wrapped up in ourselves and in the things we do, we forget to celebrate the victories. We worry about our ankles or our problems in life, but you have to remember that it's all worth it. the summit makes it worth it." Lori sits in silence till she whispers, "don't forget the summits." and I think through this trip that is what God was trying to teach me. To stop worrying about everything that I've been worried about lately and just enjoy the summit because he's got it all in his hands. at the end of the day, all the fight and struggle for God is worth it. He makes it worth it, to rest in his summit. After the last night, we woke up, packed our things, and hiked the last few miles to our end point. We celebrated our victory with a sweet snickers. and made the trek home. As we got all the kids on their way, we stopped to thank God for the trip. and as we said Amen, Lori looked up at me and replied one last time,

  "don't forget the summits."

So here's to Backpacking in the smokies. 

Here's to new adventures and new lessons. 

and here's to the summits. may you never forget them.

Em