Last week I set out on a quest to do something adventurous with my daughter and conquer a fear. I have a tremendous fear of heights! Where does one go for such a quest? Tree Go. That's right, one looks to the trees! Those tall giants that sway in the wind and make perfect habitats for birds, squirrels, and monkeys - neither of which I am.
Upon arriving at our destination and using the bathroom as instructed on the sign, we donned our climbing gear. After a short hike (one that my niece stated she did not sign up for), we came to a practice course where we were given instructions on how to use our safety clips and zipline apparatus. I felt pretty good moving through the practice course and was confident I was good-to-go. I should mention this course was maybe six feet off the ground.
From here we wandered down the trail a little further to begin the adult course. First to ascend the tree was our brave hero, daughter's boyfriend, AKA Kitty Saver, AKA Tarzan. Next up was my super athletic and strong niece, although nervous of heights, clamped on and zipped across to the next platform like a pro. My turn! I made it up the tree, arrived on the platform, clipped myself on the wire and gracefully glided to platform two. Ha!! Not even close! This is when fear took over. How stupid was I to think I could do this?! Couldn't I show my daughter I love her some other way? Was facing my fear really necessary? If God meant me to be this high up wouldn't He have given me wings? I almost backed out. The heavy breathing, and tears came as I fought. I fought the urge to flee. I fought to push off that ledge - to conquer. Thankfully, Daughter was right behind me encouraging and supporting. After what seemed like hours, I let out a growl/scream, closed my eyes and somehow made it to the other side! As I shakily unclipped my carabiners from one cable to the next, I questioned how I was going to continue. I dislike failing at things. Just as I was getting myself adjusted for the next leap (literally), a thought came over me that was louder and clearer than all the others. God. That day God was my safety clips. I have been specifically working on trust with Him and learning to let go of myself. In my heart I felt the words, "You want to learn to trust me with all of you? This is a great place to start. This is where you surrender the control you think you have. This is where you surrender your fear - as Melanie did. This is what compelled you to do this. She learned to trust Me and you can too. Remember, fear is a liar, it's not real. I AM Truth, I AM Real! My ears heard the peaceful sound of running water from the stream below and I stepped off the ledge. With each step and new challenge that awaited at each platform, I became more comfortable and relaxed. This was evident at one of the platforms when I was switching from one cable to the next and I started talking to Daughter waving my carabiners in the air (I'm a hand talker). She had to remind me to clip on. Apparently, she was nervous I was going to start walking and talking (as I do) and walk right off the tree. I was able to enjoy the experience, even looking down often at the little world below. We laughed plenty, made memories, and worked on new muscles.
Have you ever heard the sound of a tree snapping/breaking when it is falling to the ground? Well, let me tell you, it is not a sound you want to hear when you're 40 feet up crossing between two of those pines! It is, however, exactly what happened to us along with the crash of it hitting the ground. I may have let out a big scream and told our guide it was not good advertising. (It was not any of the important trees just a dead one close by.) It gets your heart rate up, that's for sure!
The scenery was gorgeous, the day beautiful, and the quest successful. I felt such achievement when I clambered down the ladder at the end! The lessons I learned will last a life time. Trusting Truth at Tree Go.
On the way home, Daughter, who was as graceful as a giraffe in roller skates crossing the trees, announced she would like to try skydiving next. That would be a hard, "NO!!" Even our fearless Tarzan said, "Why waste a perfectly good plane ride?"