lessons of life through lessons in skiing

Some of you were there many years ago when I tried skiing the last time. Thank you Mark Lundeen for the lessons! Well, here I am, a stone's throw from the Swiss Alps and in the almost four years that I have lived here, I have never tried skiing. Crazy!

With the visit of my brother Michael, I thought it was a good chance to experience skiing in the Swiss Alps. Michael is a good skier and my friend Brad is a good skier and between the two of them, I was fairly certain that I would survive and even re-learn the things Mark taught me so long ago. Was that 6 years ago? 5? 7? a long time no doubt.

Here are Michael and I. He took photos.. and video.. not sure I want to share those.. I really don't like looking like an idiot. But maybe I will share them when he gets the photos to me.of my trying to learn to ski again.. by the end I was pretty comfortable.. isn't that the way it goes? We were up in the Swiss Alps of Adelboden. It was beautiful and warm. And this group was enjoying a snowball fight after lunch. All these people enjoying the skiing, snowboarding, the weather and the amazing mountains.. and I had to wonder if they thought about the amazing Creator who provided this setting? I was in awe of His beauty and creation once again.Learning to ski for me is always a lesson in trust. Trust in my own instincts. Trust in the people who are teaching me. Why do I second guess my instincts? Why is it so hard to trust? Brad told me that I needed to stop looking at the ends of my skis and just look at him. That I was so focused on not crossing my skis that I was crossing them. He told me a few times that I need to trust my instincts and not panic. And both Brad and Michael saw a look in my eyes of wanting to give up after the first couple times. But they were so encouraging and patient.

Between Brad, Michael and the T-bar lift guy... I learned a lot.

Things like this are a great lesson for me as I maneuver this course of life. Do I trust the instincts God has given me? Do I trust the poeple He has put in my life? Do I walk in faith? Do I give up when it is hard or do I keep trying? Do I accept the help of those who know more? Do I ask for help?

There is a quote that I have held close to my heart for over 10 years now... "Fight the tendency to prefer security to availability. In other words, quite hanging on to today's comfort. It will keep you from anticipating tomorrow's challenge."

That requires a lot of trust.