Falling, what is it about falling that teaches us so much about ourselves? Is it the journey to the discovery of why? Or is it how one recovers? Or the scars that falling can leave? I believe the most important questions is why get up? Why? We are bound to fall again and again. Why not just stay down and save ourselves the trouble? For me, it´s when we get up that we learn what lies ahead. Staying down does not afford us this option.
On Saturday, I got a very tangible reminder of why I get up in life. Our whole squad went to spend a few hours at a place called Acqua Azul. Basically, it is a waterfall with many different types of falls. Some are slow and easy to navigate and others were dramatic cascades. Upon arriving, everyone scattered off to find their own adventure. While walking with Tara Bruce, who was taking pictures, I discovered some other teammates playing in a pool with a pretty good waterfall as a backdrop. I could hardly get into the water fast enough. What was really cool, was this giant log that you could crawl on and then jump off into the pool. To reach the log, one had to climb up slippery bank, traverse a narrow rock holding on to branches for balance and then carefully scoot on to the middle of the log to jump off.
I am not one to miss out on much so up the bank I headed.The bank presented little challenge and I was feeling confident in my climbing skills. I started to cross over the narrow rock. One moment I was standing, and the next moment I was clinging to the rock for dear life. In a split second, I fell. I wasn’t expecting it or prepared for it but it happened all the same. Still in shock, my friends were clamoring to see if I was okay. Blankly, I said ” I think.” I gained my footing and survey the damage. A small chunk of my left arm was missing. There was minimal bleeding on both arms and some swelling. Now, I had a choice. Go back down an get doctored and be done for the day. Or get up and keep going. Remembering to hold to the branches tighter as I try again. Given my love of water and sense of adventure, this choice was not hard. The rest of the afternoon was spent with friends swimming up to the top of the waterfall. Marvelling, at God’s creation and beauty. The waterfalls spoke of many of the things I love about my God. Power, beauty, creativity, peace, love, unity, righteousness. So much was affirmed through the countless falls, serene pools and the unique crevices where rock and water were seamless. Getting up allowed me to spend precious moments with my Heavenly Father. The pain of falling was far outweighed by the beauty and spledor I was able to experience that day. Sitting at the bottom of the waterfall with band-aids not my idea of quality time with God. While this experience might seem trivial, it would help prepare me for what might be my next fall…
Check back in a few days there is a video to accompany this blog. Technical diffuculties, my apologies.
