Alright, I am here to share what I experienced on May 8, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. I climbed a mountain. A real, actual, made out of rock mountain formed by glaciers umpteen years ago. Some people (who have never climbed mountains) told me it wouldn't be too hard - it would just be a lot of walking up a trail that would curve gently around to the top. So I thought it would be hard and talk me a while, but I would just take my time and stroll up a hill. A really big hill. SO, the mountain I climbed was Squaw Peak and I did not get very far before I was out of breath. I workout and do cardio regularly, but it is all on pretty flat inclines. I was not prepared for literally 1000's of steps of various sizes. Sure, some areas slope gently and you can just walk, but most of the climb is steps formed by different size rocks. It didn't take long for my thighs to burn and my heart to pound. I was tired when I hit the first marker that said .25 mile! A quarter of a mile?? I jog that in Florida. It's tough, but I do it. I could not believe that was as far as I'd gotten.
I kept going, determined to climb as far as I could, whether I made it to the top or not. Then my leg muscles began to shake. Sweat was literally dripping off my face and I could not catch my breath. We stopped at the next bench we came to (There were 5 benches I think.) and my hands were shaking so badly and I was crying and gasping for air. It was aweful (honesty is everything, right?) I took a small break and kept going. It ws a very long trip. There were times I did not think I would make it to the top. There were times I did not think I had it in me. But I kept going. I had to stop often and let people go pass me because I was moving so slowly. There were times that I literally had no energy and did not know how I would climb another step. There were times that I had to climb on all fours, using my hands and feet to pull myself up over rocks. The closer you get to the top, the harder it is to climb (and the tireder you are). But somehow, God got me to the top of that mountain. I climbed every step on my own. I had friends with me that encouraged me and were there for me, but I took every step necessary to get me to the peak. It's 1.25 miles to the top, a distance I walk every day with no problem, but this was completely different than anything I've ever tried before. I was work. HARD work!
I cannot begin to describe the feeling of taking that final step onto the very peak of that mountain. I began to cry. The victory is indescribeable. Knowing that God had allowed me to accomplish something that had never even been an thought in my mind. Never in my life did I think I would be able to climb a mountain. It took me 2 hours but I did it! It's 2608 feet above sea level, but you have to climb back and forth so much, that the actual walk is much farther that that. I sat on top of the mountain and I wept. For God's goodness, His mercy, His perfect plan. For everything he's done in me to prepare me for that moment. I learned so much on this journey. 6 months ago, God knew I would be here. He began training and preparing; giving me the tools I would need to accomplish the task before me. To do something I'd never imagined.
How much could we actually accomplish if we lived like this? If we totally trusted God and gave Him everything? If we let Him rule in our lives completely? What kind of "beyond imagination" life would we live? One thing I know from all of this - I want to do more for Him. I want to experience more with Him. I want to learn more about Him. I want to give Him everything and watch in awe at what He does with it. AMEN!!
My wonderful hubby made a video of my climb. Check it out. And remember to rely on Him TOTALLY!!! I love all of you and HE DOES TO!!!
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