mountains

It’s been quite some time since the words of our various priests have spoke to me. Generally, I’m good for the first 5 minutes but then my mind wanders — or I begin praying for the end. Today, however, was different. The priest spoke in a language that I could immediately relate to.

The metaphor was the mountains, or obstacles, which are put in before us to overcome.  They are high, often rocky, and difficult to conquer. Often they cause us to question our strength, come face to face with our fears, and perhaps lose faith. Our doubts and fears weigh us down and, like a backpacker who can only carry so much, we much choose to leave these nonessentials behind.

When we triumphantly reach the top of our mountain, we are rewarded with a huge sense of accomplishment, and a beautiful, breathtaking view. Hopefully, we will also have taken note of the vistas along the way as well.

While listening, my thoughts alternated between all the metaphoric mountains of my life, and those I’ve opted to climb for no reason other than challenge and view. Although each have tested me in a different way, successfully overcoming each of these hurdles (be them life challenges or physical mountains) have left me amazed with my own strength.

I am only eager to meet those mountains which mother nature has created for me to triumph over. I am, however, encouraged in knowing that so far I’ve been equipped with everything needed to make it to the summit of each of my lifetime mountains. Knowing this, makes it a whole lot easier to leave behind the extras (which are never needed anyway).

Speaking of mountains, my friends and I dropped our names in the hat for Mount Whitney permits. Cross your fingers that our names are selected.