July 09th, 2018

July 9, 2018
 
              Many ideas in our time are expressed related to “comfort zones.” Simply put, different people operate their lives comfortably in different situations, including physical comfort zones.
              Do you have someplace you can be which fills you with comfort and peace? I have friends who find such places in the middle of cities or towns of varying sizes and are definitely uncomfortable in sparsely populated places and wilderness.
              I am the opposite. If I can be outdoors – on our small ranch or even better in the wilderness, I find my spirit and sense of well-being revived. The last couple weeks have offered time in the Beartooth Mountains, which I grew up loving because my parents and grandparents loved them so much. They offer rugged peaks, high country trails, amazing lakes and waterfalls, and forests where the trees point skyward toward their Creator.
              Tomorrow my youngest two grandsons and I will be in the Beartooths, hiking trails and fishing in small lakes as well as relishing a cookout by my talented outdoor chef brother. I considerate it a legacy to pass on, just like our faith, family loyalty, belief in education and love of music.
              Are the boys required to find their comfort zones in the mountains? Of course not – but they do have the chance to revel in God’s beautiful creation, treasure its creatures and find delight in their own strength and enjoyment. The mountains offer physical challenges hiking rugged trails, mental challenges in dealing with wilderness, and spiritual challenges as we see both our tiny part in creation yet our great role in stewardship toward that creation.  
              He is there, our Creator -- in the pure air full of ozone from the bubbling creek, in the awkward steps of the moose calf, in the strong essence of the pines in sun warmth, in the butterflies in the variegated wildflowers, and in the singing of our hearts as we praise Him by loving what He has given us.