Sledding Uphill - January 31,
2001
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what
it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being
content in any and every situation, whether well fed or
hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." -
Philippians 4:12
The house I grew up in sat halfway up a rather steep
dead-end street. In the winter, I would wait eagerly for
the snow to cover the ground so I could grab my trusty
sled and run to the very top of the street. There was
nothing like the thrill of racing at top speed downhill
stretched out on the cold wooden slats. I remember
feeling the handles vibrate in my hands as the long steel
runners flew over bumps in the road. The icy wind would
sting my cheeks as at the last minute I would veer off
the road and into a huge snow bank or neighbor's yard
just feet from the busy intersection at the bottom of the
hill. No sooner would I get to the bottom than I would be
ready to go again, but there was always one problem. When
I turned around, the hill that had taken maybe a minute
to race down stretched upward before me for what seemed
like miles. I was determined to enjoy another downhill
ride, so I set my shoulders, put my head down and tromped
up the hill as fast as my little legs would take me. I
realized that along with the fun downhill slides, there
were also the difficult uphill trips back to the top.
They went hand in hand, that's just life.
I remember many times I hurried through places in my
life eager to get to the fun at the top of the next hill.
In junior high I couldn't wait to get to high school ...
in high school I couldn't wait to graduate and be an
adult in the real world. Over the years I wonder how many
times I was too busy looking head to enjoy where I was. I
bet you do the same thing. Do you ever trudge though the
week anxiously waiting for the weekend? Do you sometimes
think, "Only a few more months until I can leave here on
vacation?" Do you parents out there ever wish your child
would hurry up and start sleeping through the night,
feeding themselves, or using the potty?
Unfortunately, many people grow old before they
discover the secret of contentment. Maybe the fact that
they have fewer years left ahead than behind makes them
realize the importance of living each minute to the
fullest. Too often they look back with regret at the
opportunities missed and the joys rushed past in search
of future mountaintops. Pam and I have learned much about
the fragility and brevity of life this past year. I'd
like to think I will take time to savor every fragrance
of each day, but I still feel the tug of longing for
better times ahead. I am doing better though, and realize
that each day is a gift far too precious to waste. I
haven't accomplished nearly all I want to do in this
life, but I am content.
Over the next year you too will most likely face some
hills not of your choosing. The secret of contentment is
simple ... make sure you raise your eyes from the ground
and enjoy each step up the hill as much as the thrill of
the slide back down.
