My kids had fall break last week, and we had the chance to get out in nature for a few days. We spent an afternoon hiking in a national park. It was great weather to be outside- slightly overcast with a cool breeze. We had another family with us and our kids enjoyed exploring the woods and looking for walking sticks.
Our hike was about 1.5 miles long and took us down to a small stream with a gentle waterfall. The stream was littered with boulders, and the kids immediately took it as a challenge to see who could jump the rocks to get to the middle of the stream. The path to the middle of the stream started with a large branch that had fallen. It acted like a bridge to get over to the rocks. One of the dads went first, side stepping across the branch and making it to the first boulder. Once the kids saw that a grown up could do it, the challenge was on! The first child scooted across the branch, without a care of whether or not she would get soaked in the stream. She stopped about halfway, with panic on her face. All of a sudden, the confidence with which she started turned into fear that she wouldn’t make it across. Her dad was on the other side, holding out his hand, and encouraging her to continue. She listened to his advice, and made it across without any problems.
One by one, each child made it across to the middle. They continued down the stream as far as the rocks would go. As they continued to explore, the first one to make it into new territory would advise the others how to make it across. They would encourage and advise each other on how to get to the next step. “Put your foot there” or “Don’t stop- just jump to the next one” sprinkled with a few cheers of “You can do it!” And they did it. No stone was untouched, and in the end, no shoe was dry. Each of them took a turn falling into the creek and being helped out by their friends.
As we drove back home from our trek, I realized that I couldn’t let the day end without saying something. The kids were all in the back of the car, goofing off. They had looked forward to their time together and genuinely enjoyed spending time with each other. These are the kind of friends that you hope your children hang on to forever.
I said to them “Hey guys, you were all so encouraging and helpful to each other today during our hike. As you get older, and life throws its stones at you, I hope that you continue to encourage, help and support each other they way that you did today.” Of course, I got an earful of groans and “Mooooooooooooom”, but I know my point was made.
That is my hope for each one of you. As you go through life’s struggles, I pray that God places someone (or someones!) in your life that will strengthen and encourage you. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says “Therefore encourage and comfort one and other and build up one another, just as you are doing.”
~Shiney
