Karla’s Korner: Lessons in Trust, Faith and Perseverance

lessons
My Girl Working on the Ropes Course

Lessons in Trust, Faith and Perseverance…

I went to summer camp this past week to teach Bible lessons to summer resident campers at the faith based camp my family supports through work, ministry and service. This camp is very dear to us as our children started off as campers there about eight years ago. Since the first time we drove through the gates onto the beautiful 780 acres of land we have felt a sense of peace and belonging. Now, with my son participating in his last year of resident camp and hopes of becoming a junior counselor next summer and my daughter a senior staff member specializing in the high ropes course I find myself looking back at all of the wonderful memories our family shares because of camp and our time there. Every summer I arrive filled with great lessons and ideas about what I am going to teach and how I am going to teach it and every year I leave at the end of the week having learned more that I could imagine. Maybe that is why I keep going back every summer because I know that I am going to leave having learned a life lesson. This week definitely provided me with great lessons in trust, faith and perseverance.

Having a little down time one afternoon my husband (who also teaches at camp) and I decided to pay a visit to our daughter out in the woods where she runs the high ropes course for the older campers who range in age from 12-14. As we approached the ropes course I heard “hey guys!” coming from above. There was my girl perched high above the ground sitting in the tree tops confidently issuing instructions to campers as they began their trek into the course. The course begins with a climb up a rather large pole which leads to various types of rope paths that lead to a platform where the camper then attaches to the zip line and whizzes through yet more tree tops to the end of the course and solid ground.

On this particular day a female camper donned the appropriate equipment and began her journey up the pole. About half way up the pole camper Katie became frightened and started having second thoughts about participating in this “fun” activity. With encouragement from those of us on the ground and my daughter, Katie began her journey again. Now at the top of the pole it was obvious that Katie was pretty frightened and was clinging to the pole. As the minutes passed it was obvious that Katie needed assistance so my girl offered to go out and walk the course with her. As I stood watching my daughter confidently walk the course to greet Katie and encourage her to follow her to the end my heart swelled with pride and my eyes with tears. There about 40 feet above the ground, Katie took a deep breath, put one foot in front of the other and began to faithfully follow my girl. It was as if those of us on the ground disappeared and they were the only two around. They talked and walked until they reached the platform. With just the zip line standing between Katie and the end of the course (and solid ground) fear settled in for a brief moment before Katie took the plunge and zipped to the end of the course. I was there to greet her and congratulate her on conquering her fears and successfully completing the course. Still shaking, soaking wet from heat and nerves Katie let out a deep breath and said “I did it!” I celebrated with Katie later that day with ice cream at the camp store and happily shared my pride with Katie’s mother and grandmother at the end of the week.

In the two days I have been home I continue to replay that afternoon in my mind and wonder if I would ever have the faith, trust and perseverance like Katie to conquer difficult situations in my own life. I struggle with certain difficulties lately and often find myself feeling lost, defeated and searching for that perseverance, trust and faith. Unlike children adults allow the weight of the world to settle on their shoulders clouding their vision and weighing down their spirit preventing them from conquering the obstacles in the lives. It is important, however, to figure out how to overcome those obstacles, eliminate the difficulties and make it to the end of the course. For me, taking it one day at a time and striving to be the best me I can be is an important first step in overcoming those obstacles. It’s not easy to face difficulties and often even more difficult to plod through them. Is it worth it? Yes, I believe that anything worth having requires trust, faith and perseverance. Trusting in our own selves that we know what is best for us and our family I believe is the first step. Having faith in ourselves and more importantly our Creator that nothing will come along that we cannot handle will encourage us to persevere until we reach the platform of tough stuff and take the leap into the zip line of our life. Whatever it is that is holding you down or keeping you from happiness I encourage you to face it with trust, faith and perseverance; take charge of your own life and I believe you will find yourself happier and more fulfilled.

Peace,
Karla

I think we all need a touch point a place we can go to be inspired. Karla is my children’s teacher, a good friend, and a person with a heart of gold. I hope that her words will inspire you to do more. We are only as good as the people we surround ourselves with. It is important to listen with your heart and proceed with your eyes open. Enjoy!

Check out all of Karla’s Korner articles for more thought for the week here.

Also, please visit Karla’s Lifetime Moms page and read her articles.