“I just wanted to have another adventure before I die.” That’s what she said.
“She” is 82-year-old Erma. Erma came to my camp with a group of elderly people; their purpose was to hang out with the high school students in our “leadership treks” program. Although Erma uses a walker to assist her in moving around, she was excited about the opportunity to climb a 30 foot tall ladder and slide down the zipline. She was assisted up the ladder, lowered gently into her harness at the top, and allowed to zip down 375 feet of wire for the ride of her life. When Erma was done, she was assisted down from the ending platform and given her walker again, this time with a huge smile on her face.
Why did she do this? The easy answer is that Erma wanted another adventure. She did it for the joy of having fun in a setting she wouldn’t normally be presented with. She didn’t worry about the outcome of riding the zipline or think about the risks involved, she just wanted to have fun.
Sometimes I feel like I’m in the same boat as Erma – I’m setting off on this trip for the joy of it, for the adventures that await. I’m jumping in with both feet and trusting that God is going to catch me, just like He safely carried Erma down the zipline. I know there are risks involved (even signing up for this trip was taking a risk!) but I know that God has a plan and a purpose in bringing me to this point in my life.
Right now I’m climbing up that tower – God is preparing me for the year that lies ahead. I’m hooked in to my harness, have my helmet on, and am ready and waiting to see what this adventure has in store. I’m still learning and growing and being stretched. And I’m finding that this isn’t such a bad place to be – I can see a bit of what’s coming but have no idea the full extent of the adventure that awaits. I’m ready, God. Let’s go on this great adventure!
