The BWCA, rest, and brothers…
I have just returned from a 4 day trip to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Northern Minnesota. I’ve got a few minor scrapes from gathering firewood, residual marks left from the veracious mosquitoes, and a pretty sweet farmers tan. This was the first ever, all brothers trip to the BWCA and it was one that will go down in memory as a pretty special time. A few things I’ll share with you:
1. The BWCA is an amazing place. Upon our entry to the park, we were forced to watch a video to obtain our permit that speaks of the rules and regulations of the park. While my brothers and I goofed off in our sarcastic “minnesota accents” I am thankful for the stewardship of this resource. Though it may not be pursued by people of faith nor are the convictions to keep it as “untouched” as possible ones of faith, I am sure that what has happened in the park makes God extremely happy. Miles and miles of breathtaking views, lakes, animals, and ecosystems that all work in harmony with one another as if there is some thing, someone, some life force behind the scenes breathing life into it and giving it to me/us as a gift. Upon reflecting, I cannot help but be overwhelmed by the amount of solace and peace I experienced while there. I am learning to be the kind of person that recognizes these moments when they happen as they are all the more profound, but writing about it helps.
2. I never looked at a clock from the moment we pushed off the shore until the moment we returned. I was completely and totally unplugged from the grind and demands of my life. In those four days, I was able to rest. And by rest I mean enjoy the things, places and people that I love without the demands of producing anything. I had no deadlines, and no obligations other than to the people and relationships that were present as it related to our living together as a small community on an island. My self worth was not connected to a sermon, or a worship set or anything else connected to my job, rather it was centered in the fact that I was created by God with certain passions and loves and was free to experience and LIVE in the midst of those passions and loves as a gift from God.
3. I am blessed beyond recognition to have the four brothers that I do. It’s a pretty rare thing to have siblings that are all grown up that you can do holidays with and not hate each other, let alone a 4 day trip to the most remote places our state has to offer. We have been through a lot as a family, both good and bad, and I do not take for granted the special relationship that the five of us have together. There is no doubt in my mind that I could call any one of them at at any hour of the night and say “I need you…” and they would come with no questions asked. I think we all have a desire deep down to be “completely known” (itunes that title and you’ll find a great song by Don Chaffer and the band Waterdeep that’s worth listening to) and I’m not sure there are four people who know me better than these boys outside of my wife, mom and dad.
I know that I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to experience the past four days as I did. Thanks to my wife Laura and the amazing woman that she is and for the sacrifice she made in order to make it possible. I hope that maybe there is something here for you today as you read. I hope and pray that you find a little bit of what I got to experience over the last week in a small part of your day today…and you recognize it as a gift from the giver of life.
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