139-Cold Feet With A Touch Of Brandy...

The lyrics “The sailors say Brandy, you’re a fine girl; what a good wife you’d be…” by Looking Glass blasted into the darkness which was fleeing from the dawning sun that slowly crept through the valley.  I quickly felt for my phone alarm in my sleeping bag and with a silent push on the side made the song stop, for ten more minutes at least.  Six forty-five felt too early as I thought about the cold water of the Red River washing around my legs—a part of the lineup we had planned for today’s adventure.  Meeting Chase in town, we glamped our way around the Park n’ Save in Slade, KY taking full advantage of the hot water on tap and flushing toilets.  Park n’ Save I tell ya…

This group of seven was about to embark on an adventure that we’d all take in with fresh eyes.  After crossing the unseasonably low Red River, bare feet in the muck and rocks, we picked our way through a short band of Rhododendron (Rhodos as I’ve come to respectfully call them…).  Pressing uphill, we crawled through the wild brambles with the occasional Devil’s Walking Stick, that looks as uninviting as it sounds, then broke free into the old-growth forest for the final approach.  Before long, following Gideon’s leadership, we found the base of the sandstone pillar that jutted 120’ out of the earth toward the crystal blue sky—exciting for some, but striking fear into others.  Now it was Chase’s turn to take the lead.  He geared up, tied into the rope and started climbing, trailing behind well engineered pieces of colored aluminum, wire, and nylon that connected the rock to his rope to protect him in event of a fall.  Anchor built, good to go.

“You got this Jacob!” and other cheers of encouragement came from the group as Jacob battled his way up the first pitch of the Jewel Pinnacle.  On shaky nerves and the words of his peers Jacob completed the first pitch and later completed the second with a bit of rope assistance at the crux.  Awesome team effort!  John pushed himself to reach the ledge where the group was perched until I could take the lead and establish an anchor at the top of the climb.  John’s one request was to rappel, but on this trip, you had to climb to reach the rappel site. He championed his way to that rappel ledge just to wait for an exuberantly long time, sand raining down on his head for 3 hours, learning the true meaning of patience.

Noah and Knox topped out with Jacob and Gideon and took in the view from hundreds of feet from the river that etched a line on the valley floor before rappelling back down to the base of the cliff.  While Knox was pulling ropes and learning more about rope management and anchors, Noah toted both John and Chase’s extra pack, getting us all back down the steep hill and to the river in one piece.  I don’t think there was a moment on the approach, climb, or descent that was somber or quiet.  Everyone was either laughing, coaching, or shouting ‘Adaaaaaaaam!’ across the gorge… This is a good day.  (Ask about the Adam story some other time…)

The climbing day before, we returned to our van (that was graciously lent to us by The Rock Church, and adequately decaled as such), to find a small ‘Jesus’ figurine sandwiched between the door handle and body of the vehicle.  I immediately was encouraged and reminded that I’m not the only one out here who is chasing after God.  There are others, possibly many others, who are pursuing God’s plan and will for their lives, just like me and several of the guys on our trip.  We couldn’t climb the Jewel Pinnacle alone; we all played a part in that adventure, taking turns leading in different ways and using our gifts to benefit the group.  Some used their experience to lead the climbs and keep us safe, while the new climbers to our crew needed support and encouragement along the way.  Our highs and lows that we share at the end of the day don’t have to be about how high we climbed; often it’s a moment within the journey that captures our heart.  As the body of Christ, we are assembled as a ‘church’ with different gifts and talents, some seasoned and sharing wisdom, others new and flaying their way through faith… but we are all out there sharing in the adventure that God has placed before us—I know you are out there ‘leaver-of-the-Jesus-figurine’… thank you for the reminder that we are not alone.

-Matt