GETTING READY! 6/9/13

APPROXIMATELY 35 years ago Jim and my son Danny decided to climb Mt McLaughlin, in Oregon (some refer to it as Mt Pitt). Jim was in his early 40's and Danny was around 14. Now Danny was fit and trim; and even though Jim thought it was a challenge, he could do it! The mountain was not all that high, perhaps around 9000 ft; a real challenge, but doable!


WE GOT TO THE BASE of the mountain early; where the beginning of the trail seemed to beckon to the guys, but held no allure for Jennifer and me. Instead we had blankets, an ice chest filled with all good things, some books and magazines along with other stuff, so we could enjoy our day just laying around in the valley below; enjoying God’s green acres.

I BELIEVE they took off on their journey around 7:00 am! Keeping in mind that during the mid season of the 20th century, there were no cell phones; no hand held computers, just the sun to tell us what time of day it was, and a watch that we looked at often. During the morning there was a constant, intermittent stream of climbers hitting the trail. Around 10:00 am, a couple of young men went by, I stopped them and told them about my husband Jim and my son Danny. They said they would tell them they spoke with us when them saw them. Fat chance, I thought, unless Jim is on his way down!

LATE AFTERNOON, I saw the same two young men, still full energy, heading our way! Jennifer and I ran to the side of the path near us, and as they stopped, one of them asked me; “Are you Jane Ann!” I sighed a big sigh of relief; And said; "Yes, that’s me!"  He said; “We passed your husband and son, going up and they were moving slowly, but they were doing okay. We spoke again to them as we passed them coming down. Your husband said he was fine and not to worry.”

WELL they did come down, and were so tired, even though they didn’t make it to the top. I could tell they were disappointed but not discouraged, because on the way home Jim talked about getting into better shape and doing it again. Danny was all for it, to him it was a great adventure. A year later they did do it again, along with my brother Lynn and nephew Lance. They went to the top and couldn’t stop talking it about for years and years!

“FOR THE MOMENT all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant; later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it!” Hebrews 12:11    Isn’t it true we often do things that we just are not prepared for? We make plans for a trip but don’t actually prepare for it until it is almost a reality. Lots of talk about new years resolutions and dues are paid, but after a few months we call it quits because it requires dedication and perseverance.

I THOUGHT about Jim’s and Danny’s mountain climbing event because I was thinking about Paul and how he would buffet his body so that he could run and win the race. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-25a    It is easy to compete but it is not easy to win, if you are not ready.

GETTING READY gives us a chance to run in confidence. Paul buffeted his body to be ready. He kept himself in condition so that he was ready when the Lord returned!   “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us!” Hebrews 12:1

“THEREFORE, you also must be ready; for the Son of man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Matthew 24:44   Whatever is important to us, we make sure we are prepared and ready. Shouldn’t we be ready for when Christ returns? I am always thinking how wonderful it would be, to be here and ready when He comes again. Even so, I want to be ready no matter what; don’t you? I am sure that “the day of Jesus Christ” is at hand! By Jane Ann Crenshaw 6/8/13