pretty cold today but clear for most of the day. The views were good and the company was equally enjoyable. The trail was pretty tough, the snow makes for hard walking. My legs are killing me but it felt worth it.While walking up Bear Mt. I was thinking about this fable/story that has been in my mind for a long time now. It goes like this:
One day a young boy was walking home from church, feeling very lonely. He felt that in his crowded life he just couldn't connect with God. So he went out, he walked from sea to sea, searching for the highest and most magnificent mountain he could find. As he travelled he began to enjoy his travels. Meeting new people, seeing new places, he couldn't imagine any other life then this.
After many days and nights of walking the boy found a massive mountain, at first glance it was very intimidating. He didn't think that he could make it to the top. Regardless he started his long climb. Each day he would hike and rest, hike and rest, hike and rest. Until one day he found himself high up in the clouds on the summit of this beautiful mountain.
"God, I've come to see you. Here I am!", he exclaimed.
He heard nothing but the breeze through the trees.
Again he yelled, "God, I've searched wide and far to find the highest mountain just so I could be closer to you."
God replied, "My son, I'm glad that you've learned to enjoy this beautiful world that I made for you but I've been with you since you started your journey. I was there when you were tired, when you were hungry, when you were sad. I was with you at the bottom of this mountain and I am here with you now on the top of the world. You need not travel so far and wide to be closer with me, I am with you at all times. But if you should feel lonely or distant you need only do what makes you happy because that is where I truly am."
The boy looked down at his feet, feeling slightly foolish but loved. He noticed that after all his travels he had changed. He was know a man and it was time for him to continue his life. After talking with God he headed down the mountain and lived a great life. However, he always made time to take the long journey to the top of the mountain, to be with God, to be happy.
I especially like it because at times I find myself wondering why on earth I would want to hike on
the coldest day of the year? I have many answers for this question, maybe I'm like the boy from the story, just trying to get that much closer to God.So I say to all of you, Onward and Upward to God or Whoever you want. Do what makes you happy and do it often. Do it for yourself, your family, friends, God, whoever because it can't hurt right? Maybe that's what the world needs, a little happiness, a little closeness.
Stay warm and I'll catch ya on the flip side.
