I am not a skier. Not even a little one. Which is kind of a shame seeing as how we live right by a world class ski resort!
My only real skiing experience was way back in the day when I was 18 years old and went on a “Christian ski vacation” in Switzerland. Let’s just say hurtling very ungracefully down a mountain was not my thing, so I found refuge in a very lovely spa where I could WATCH the mountain, intermingled with a spot of shopping…
So after 18 years of NOT skiing in my Canadian hometown, my daughter suggested I try SNOWSHOEING. She tried it first at Christmas, and thought it might be my “thing”: an amazing workout without the hurtling down the mountain experience, whilst enjoying and appreciating the glorious scenery of our winter wonderland.
So on Saturday, I headed up to Big White with my men folk, and we went snowshoeing. It was FANTASTIC!
And what a workout!
Lots of uphill on our Nordic trail and 2 hours of walking with the added weight and bulk of snowshoes, we really worked up a sweat. Well, the men folk sweated, I “glowed”!! I think we may even have to invest in some snowshoes of our own eventually, making it a very “cheap and cheerful” day on the stunning mountaintops.
Thankfully, you don’t need any skill whatsoever- just put one foot in front of the other and walk- just like having a giant pair of slippers on! There was no “scary” involved, as the spikes on the bottom of the fat ski-like things prevent you from sliding downhill- you simply WALK. Who’d have thought?
Funny how we can build things up in our minds SO much that we inevitably miss out on the real treasure. “I can’t do that job, go to that place, take that step of faith, speak to that person, try that newfangled thingamajig….”
Is it fear of failure? Fear of pain? Fear of change? All three??
We all experience it to some degree, but walking into a new situation more often than not requires the courageous simplicity of putting one foot in front of the other. It’s how we grow, how we live life to the fullest, how we experience all the good things God has in store for us- He calls them “blessings”. These blessings can come in the form of appreciating the beauty of creation afresh, embarking on new and unexpected relationships, discovering our own giftings- basically broadening our horizons.
Not being content to merely “exist”. He wants us to LIVE!
Personally, this snowshoeing experience allowed me to fully appreciate the majestic beauty of winter…
Bringing me ever closer to the masterful Creator…
I promised myself I would attempt to make time this year to actually stop and smell the roses- I think stopping to smell the pine trees while walking in a winter wonderland is a good start! And all I had to do was put one foot in front of the other…
