Stone Mountain

It is a wonder I made it this far. Pretty sure my guardian angels had their hands full with me.

Back in 6th grade, my family went on a road trip around Georgia. At Stone Mountain, we stopped at a picnic area near the base of the mountain. My sister and I told our parents we were going for a short hike up a nearby trail. After a while, my sister decided to bail. I promised to return after my "small" mountain hike. I had no clue how big it was, I just wanted to climb it.

Figured the straight-up route was the quickest way. Ignoring the increasingly dangerous terrain or warning signs, I made my own path up the mountain. I climbed many trees in my eleven years, so no biggie I thought.

During my ascent, I spotted an occasional forest ranger jeep with flashing lights, but played hide-and-seek to avoid getting busted. Eventually, the dirt roads were far below me. Hours passed. This stone was bigger than I expected.

Finally, the summit was in sight. The vertical challenge was much harder now. A few times I got stuck, barely holding on. I spied some people already at the top. If they could make it, so could I. As I got closer I noticed an elderly person in a wheelchair and little kids. "How did they get up here? Maybe a helicopter." I thought. As I climbed over the guardrail at the top, I couldn't believe it - there was a paved road! That would have been way easier. I ran 2.5 miles down the mountain in a fraction of the time it took to climb up.

Six hours after I left, I found the ranger jeep and two police cars at our picnic area. Hugged my worried family and faced the music. Everybody was happy to see me. Nobody was happy that I made it to the top. I was, but at what cost? To reach my goal, I caused my family and local authorities unnecessary worry and work. As a parent, I realize now how heart-wrenching that was for my family.

Life sometimes resembles my climb. Overlooking the big picture can be a waste of time and risky, much like passing a car at the top of a hill. Going it alone, without support, left me hanging in challenging moments, quite literally. Choosing the right path would have ensured reaching the summit without getting stuck or hiding from what I knew was wrong. Even though I made it, my family paid the price. It would have been better to be with my family at the summit.

Likewise, taking the road paved by Jesus Christ will lead us up to Heaven. He paid the price for our sins. This time, I pray my family will be there too.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Life's a bit like mountaineering — never look down.