PASSING THE BATON
With only the sound of the truck engine idling we waited. It was a meeting of the past, present, and future coming together in this one, momentous moment. The wall that held the memories of his life as a mountaineer was now empty. Tears were shed by both of us. Sometimes the answer to your prayers come with a cost, and for Kevin it was a big one. For over 50 years Kev has climbed many a mountain, trekked over vast countries, explored the unknown, for the simple reason “ because it is there”. It has been the center of his soul, his identity, the man who he is now. His dreams of conquering another mountain or just being at the base of Mt. Everest was a reason to get up every morning, doing jobs that weren’t fun or exciting, with hopes of the “ one day”. This weekend everything changed. It was changed for LOVE. You see, we still needed the additional half of money for my eye surgery. God had put it on his heart to sell his mountaineering equipment and HE would provide the answer to our prayers. Has God ever asked you to give up something you love, a relationship that needs to end, a job you love but doesn’t make enough money? Jesus had to make that same decision. God had told him he would have to die a horrible death, be abandoned and alone from his disciples , friends, family, and even His Father God, all for LOVE. Trusting God when big things are asked of us is the journey all Christians will face at some time. But, like this moment, God proved Himself to be faithful. Meet Brian, a fellow mountaineer. He saw the value of Kev’s equipment and was honored to take the baton for a new generation of climbers, but mixed with it a little bit of the old. He even has his five year old son learning “ the ropes” of mountaineering. Some may think this is all but a little bit melodramactic, unless you know Kev. Of all the gifts I have received, it was this selfless act of LOVE and obedience that has me sitting in the truck with tears and a smile. God had a bigger plan, one that included a man named Brian and his son, to pass the baton and make room for new dreams. Don’t be afraid to “ give up” the thing you may love the most in order for God to bring you the BEST. I love you babe…