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Classic Illustrator
"It is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20:35 NIV)
Gros Morne, the tallest mountain in Eastern Canada, stands 806 meters above the Strait of Belle Isle in the Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland. The view from the top is said to be phenomenal, well worth the 18.3 km climb, and this was our destination on July 25th, 2004.
It was late in the day when we began our ascent. We had arrived in Newfoundland very late the day before via ferry, and had a four hour drive to cover before we could even set foot on the trail. Even after arriving in Gros Morne National Park, we didn't set out immediately. In fact, we were in the middle of cooking a leisurely, late lunch when I learned that it took a minimum of 6 ½ hours for experienced hikers to make the climb!
"It's 2:30 p.m. and sunset is at 8:30!" I exclaimed to my family. "We have less than 6 hours! We have to go-now!"
And so we dropped everything and jumped into the car and headed for the parking lot at the base of the mountain. That we weren't as prepared as we should have been is a bit of an understatement . . . All of our water bottles were only half-full! But we set out anyway, and it wasn't long before the perspiration was flowing freely and the "perfume" that wafted about us was less than pleasant! We made it about three kilometers when my youngest son, Darien, began to fade. But he made it a couple of kilometers farther than his dad! We sat down for a breather, and my wife passed around some much needed "salt", in the form of potato chips, and after a bit of a rest, a bit of a drink, and plenty of salt, we set out once more on our trek.
Unfortunately the newly found energy was short-lived. After climbing up what we would have classified as VERY rugged terrain, we arrived at the base of the REAL challenge: a steep, pebbly climb that went STRAIGHT UP for HUNDREDS of meters! It was already 4:10 p.m. and we only had 50 minutes to reach the top if we wanted to return to our base before dark. There was no way my youngest one (or me, for that matter!) could accomplish this feat. If anyone in the family could do it, it would be my oldest son and my wife.
"Honey, we have to make a choice," I stated. "We have only 50 minutes left to reach the top if we want to get back down before nightfall. Do you really think the two of us should undertake this? There doesn't look like there's anyway to turn back if we start this steep climb!"
"No Papa!" interrupted Darien. "I want to climb all the way to the top!"
After a short debate, the adults decided that to give my wife and older son a fair chance, I would make the "supreme sacrifice" and stay behind with Darien. He wasn't in agreement with this arrangement, however; and it was a rather "tearful" goodbye! To appease him a bit, we began climbing around the base of the mountain. It was beautiful, and our trek was made even more exciting by some wild animals that crossed our path. After a while my son asked: "Do you think mom and Donovan will be able to reach the top on time?"
"What do you think?" I asked. "Is your mom a quitter or does she always try to attain her goals?"
"She is NO quitter!"
"So, both your brother and your mom will make it in time."
"I guess we made the right choice papa. It was a worthwhile sacrifice."
"What do you mean son?"
"With us following at their heels, there was no way they would have reached the top on time. By staying behind, we gave mom and Donovan a fair chance to get to the top."
"You are so right," I answered.
In the end, my wife and Donovan both reached the top and were back to the car by 8:00 p.m. It only took them 5 ½ hours to do the entire 18.3 kilometers!
We all face daily decisions. It is our choice if our decisions will be a blessing to others or a curse. If Darien had insisted on climbing to the top, we probably would have all turned around and none of us would have reached our goals. That decision would have been a curse to my wife and my oldest son. However, his decision to not continue was a real blessing to the ones in our family who had the energy to go on.
In everything we do and say, we radiate blessings or curses to others.
"Not now! I don't have the time!" only radiates discouragement.
"Can I be of any help?" provides others with hope and appreciation instead.
Jesus always had time for others while wandering through Israel. His schedule was even busier than ours; however, every word he uttered and every deed he performed were always to the benefit of others.
What kind of decisions are you making? Do they always bless others? With Jesus as your guide, they sure can!
Oh, and I took Darien out for ice cream while we waited for the others...
Rob Chaffart
Founder, Answers2Prayer Ministries
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