Clifty Falls

We spent a few days down at Clifty Falls in southern Indiana last weekend.

After reluctantly waking early Thursday morning and throwing a change of clothes in a suitcase, we hit the road. I wasn’t particularly surprised to hear our 6th grader, in typical pre-adolescent dialect, tactfully surmise from the back seat of the car, “So…this really isn’t supposed to be a fun vacation, right?”


He may have a bit of his mother in him. I’m not much of a camper, really not an outdoorsy type at all. But it seemed only right that over Fall Break we should take in the ambiance of Fall -- and Fall means colorful leaves. So since colorful leaves are abundant in state parks, to a state park we would go. (I suppose sitting in the backyard would have been more convenient, Clifty Falls doesn’t have the monopoly on colorful leaves, but getting away from the distractions of home sounded good.)

The only problem with planning a 2 day trip to a state park to enjoy the outdoors is that if the weather chooses not to cooperate, you are really spending 2 days inside a motel room, watching the weather channel and the Monk marathon.

Not to be daunted by the rain, my husband led the charge. We hiked up and down pieces and parts of Trails 1 – 9, each marked either “rugged” or “very rugged” on the map, (which tends to discourage the not so outdoorsy, rather arthritic hiker.)

I must admit, I am glad Steve pushed us toward hiking. We did see an abundance of leaves, but even better, I learned why it is called Clifty Falls. Turns out there are a number of waterfalls in the park. Who knew?

The first day, with only a persistent drizzle, we made our way to the north end of the park to take in the mightiest fall of all, Old Clifty himself. It was impressive.

The rain kicked in around midnight, and promised to continue throughout the entire next day, dampening any of my ambitions of further rugged and very rugged trail hiking. Rats. Guess we would have to simply enjoy a leisurely breakfast with never ending coffee, warm waffles and bacon and then make our way home.

Imagine my surprise when our 6th grader, realizing it had been raining all night, bounded out of bed, threw on his muddy shoes, and hurried us quickly right back to Clifty Falls. He seemed to suspect something, and his intuition was right. That waterfall looked and sounded nothing like the Clifty we’d seen the day before. What had been a gentle, trickling flow of water had suddenly become a raging, roaring force of nature that literally took our breath away.

That made me think. Having tasted the sweetness of knowing the Lord, I often allow my relationship with Him to be little more than a quiet certainty in my life. But just like Clifty after the rain, we can know an abundant, never ceasing, vibrant relationship with our Father. We just need to take the time to get there.

What a broad world to roam in, what a sea to swim in is this God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. A.W. Tozer

All our lives long we might talk of Jesus, and yet we should never come to an end of the sweet things that might be said of Him. Eternity will not be long enough to learn all He is, or to praise Him for all He has done, but then, that matters not; for we shall always be with Him…and desire nothing more.

Frederick Faber

Shepherds, please share in a post below ways you maintain a vibrant relationship with God.

America's Next Top Model

I was hijacked Saturday afternoon by Reality TV.

In my defense, it had been a rigorous few days, everyone in the house was occupied, and I was just plain tired. My fatigue led me toward the softness of a warm afghan, several gooey chocolate brownies, and an episode or 2 of Americas’ Next Top Model.

I caught the season finale, where the number of perfectly chiseled beauties had been whittled away over several months; with only a handful of exquisite young ladies left standing. In spite of their flawless figures, skin, smiles and photogenic perfection, only one would be named as America’s Next Top Model.

At that fateful moment when the winner was announced, I was struck more by the reaction of the first runner-up than the winner. She was aghast, angry, and practically sobbing at her loss.

I realize this was a competition and she had her eye on the prize, but come on! Really? Is it that horrible to be named the 2nd most poised, lovely, graceful beauty in the modeling world? From my couch, with brownie crumbs on my chin, hair in severe need of root touch up, and those darn 20 extra pounds, I’d have taken 2nd place.

Hmmm. This world of ours has sure done a number on our perspective toward achievement. Unless we are more successful than the other guy, (and there is always another guy), we are simply unsuccessful.

As Christians, we may have the tendency to measure our success in the same way. But listen to what A.W. Tozer says…

The one who is elated by success and cast down by failure is still following the success of this world.

At best her fruit will have a worm in it.

God will allow His servant to succeed when she has learned that success does not make her dearer to God nor more valuable in the total scheme of things. (paraphrased, Born After Midnight, 59.)

A good friend reminded me this morning that God’s will really encompasses just two things…that I love Him with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength, and that I love others as myself.

The world can keep her trophies and accolades. I’d rather be successful in my Father’s eyes.

Shepherds, please share with each other what it is you do that you think is pleasing to God.

Visitors

I had some guests this past weekend. VIP’s. My daughter and her boyfriend came home from IU for a visit.

I haven’t seen Lisa since August, so mentioning that I was looking forward to seeing her would be a gross understatement.

To celebrate her arrival, I kicked it into mom-mode, maid-mode, chef-mode, and any other mode that might help me get everything ready. I bought Lis her favorite lunch from Buffalo Wild Wings, loaded the frig with a few of her favorite recipes, scoured the house, and did a mountain of laundry in order to free up the washing machine so I could do her laundry when it arrived.

While she was sweet to thank me, I don’t think any of my efforts really impacted her one way or another. More than anything else, she seemed to appreciate the times we spent talking, laughing, and watching a movie together.

I tend to overdo. Endeavoring to please others and God, it is sometimes the simple thing, not the extravagant display which means more. Taking a minute to write a note or make a phone call usually has much greater impact than inviting 12 women to a 3 course meal around a perfectly decorated table. Responding to God’s nudge to take a walk with Him, journal and spend time in prayer must at least hold equal value to the times when I’ve spent hours in expository study of a biblical doctrine.


Shepherds, what is the simple thing that you could do today that would make a difference, either in your walk with God, or relationship with another?

A Broken Heart

This past week, I hurt someone I care about.

In a vulnerable moment, my preadolescent son shared with me the name of the new beauty in middle school with “almond eyes, silky hair and perfect skin” whom he had begun admiring from afar.

In an absent-minded moment, my son’s entrusted secret escaped my lips before I could reign it in. I shared his very private news with my neighbor.

Though my son said nothing and did a masterful job at playing it cool, I knew at once that I had crushed him. I would rather die than hurt him, but hurt him I had. And worst, I might have jeopardized the wonderful trust that exists between him and me.

As soon as we had a moment alone, I began to ask his forgiveness. Though hurt, he was quick to forgive. I wasn’t willing to let myself off the hook so easily, and spent the rest of the evening ostracizing myself for letting him down. I apologized more times than I could count, until finally, Josh said, “Mom, it’s over. I’ve forgiven you! Forget about it!”

Why is it that we hold onto our failings and sin so much longer than we need to? Just like Josh, our Father stands ready to forgive and embrace us. Unfortunately, we’d often rather cower in the corner, unwilling to fully receive His grace.

A.W. Tozer had something to say about this…

Brother Lawrence expressed the highest moral wisdom when he testified that if he stumbled and fell he turned at once to God and said, "O Lord, this is what You may expect of me if You leave me to myself."

He then accepted forgiveness, thanked God and gave himself no further concern about the matter. The Warfare of the Spirit, pp. 102-104

I can’t get over the grace of a young boy toward his loose-tongued mom. If only I could fully grasp that same type of grace extended to me by my Father, gratefully receive His forgiveness and move on!

Shepherds, will you share with each other how you work toward restoration with God when you have walked away from Him?