When I was a kid we lived a neighborhood that was full of young families. There were about 15 kids within a two block radius. We had bike races aroung the cul-de-sac, played air guitar in the garage, and fought many a crab-apple battle. It seemed like everything we did was outside. Pong obviously did not hold the attention in the same way as PS3!
We lived near the edge of town and if we walked for about 15 minutes we were in a secluded wooded area. I don't know how many hours we spent climbing over fallen trees, wading through hip-high grass, and seeing who could jump the creek. We never really had a purpose, other than just hanging out and being kids - life was good!
Fast forward a few years. On Fridays I get out of the office in the mornings to study for my upcoming ordination interview. You see, actually I'm not a reverend - I really don't like that title by the way. I am a liscenced pastor and I am scheduled to have my interview in December. (I am sure those of you who really love me will be leaving comments about some day being a real pastor, thanks I love you too)
So yesterday I thought I would go out to a place on the south end of town that is secluded, wooded and has a creek winding through. I was walking along one of the paths and I noticed an area on the creek bank that had a log down and some stones that formed a "beach". I figured this would be a good spot to sit and read and pray.
I looked over the edge and tried to find a spot to descend. Most of the area was pretty steep. There was one spot where the rains from this spring had washed out part of the bank and it was not as steep. I summed up this option, noticed there was only one branch to duck under and decided it was doable. So I began to inch my way down.
Have you ever noticed how pliable 12 year olds are? They can run, jump, bounce, spring, tumble, and twist and never feel the worse for wear. They can even contort themselves in midair to avoid a disasterous fall. I am not 12 anymore.
I took about three steps down the slope - which was a little slippery, as packed mud tends to be. I ducked under the branch, took one more step and the next thing I knew, I was resting not so comfortably on the rocky shore of the creek below, safely on my backside.
The first thing I noticed was that I still had my coffee mug in one hand and my Bible in the other. Neither the worse for wear. So I picked myself up, made use of the creek to wash myself off, and found a place on the log to settle in; all the while thanking the Lord that I was in a secluded spot so that I didn't have to share this moment with anyone else.
I sat down and began to read. One thing you may not realize about me is that I am a little ADD. I am reading quietly until I hear the bird, and another bird, and a squirrel, oooh look a racoon track, and there's a dragon fly, I wonder if there are fish in this creek...and on it goes. I did get some reading done. But after about an hour of sitting on the log, I began to notice how uncomfortable logs really are.
So after the blood came back to my legs I decided to walk some more. Yes, I made it back up the bank without any trouble. But I would be lying if I didn't tell you that the thought of someone finding my skeleton clutching my mug and Bible did cross my mind.
As I walked I made an interesting discovery. As a boy I would run through the woods unhindered. But now as a grown up I realized that spiders string their webs across the paths at the exact height of my head. I was relieved as I came to a clearing and left the sticky arachnid strands behind. The bent grass from deer bedding down, the singing of the birds, and the fluttering butterflies almost redeemed the experience for me.
I say almost because at that moment I noticed a bee collecting pollen. I watched as he hovered from flower to flower - they really are quite graceful. That would have been fine, but the buzzing I was hearing seemed too loud for one bee. That's when I noticed another, and another, and another, and....well you get the point. I had obviously wandered too close to the bee's home. And while I did not get stung, I have a much better understanding of the fight or flight mentality.
I don't remember the outdoors being like this when I was 12, it seemed much easier then.
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3 comments:
Brett, I really enjoyed your post and you are right about when we were younger you could go out and have a whole neighborhood of kids and just have fun being with each other. We didn't need "things" to be entertained with. Gee, I didn't know you weren't a "real" pastor and to think how you have been doing such a great job being just a pastor!!
I'm was glad to hear that you had your bible in your hand going down to the creek because in this town if you hear someone going down to a creek it's usually to do something other than to be alone with God!! (Sorry being married to law-enforment you think different) That's why we like you! Pastor Brett!!
LOL! LOVE this post! OH, where do I begin??? How about with PONG?!! Oh my land...haven't thought of that game in FOREVER. you really
'dated' yourself with that one. Um. Yea. Like I just did by admitting that I remember it.
OH...what I would've done to have witnessed your graceful approach to the creek (pronounced CRIK, ya know). LOVE the fact that you were still clutching the coffee mug. Given the chance you would've probably let go of your Bible before the mug. Which would've been expected since you're not a REAL Pastor anyway!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHA~~~
Gotta love me:)
Great post, but you really opened a big can of worms admitting your not a real pastor, and to think we all trusted you. Glad you keep the bible and coffee in hand, but most of all that you weren't hurt. Oh to be agile as a 12 year old again
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