Wild at Heart

One of my favorite books is Wild at Heart, by John Eldridge. He talks about how most men long for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue. Let men be men, don't raise them to be tame and nice - that man many need to protect and defend you someday. The book is a testosterone pumping experience; idealistic at times, but he gets the point across. And today I am reminded of the joy in adventure.

Yesterday Madison got some 8 inches of snow, whiteout conditions. We couldn't work yesterday and today our truck never would've made it up the hill where we were taking out 3 trees. So I had another work day planned at the coffee shop. This morning I told Katie I was going to walk to Barriques. Why? Because I can. Temperature: 8 degrees, but the wind says -3. Why? Because I have the gear, I always drive, and I miss the walk to class.

So I pulled out my Mountainsmith backpack, loaded my computer, books, and some apples, clipped on my coffee mug and Nalgene (essential for every trip), put the Rio in my ears and walked out the door. I walked a plowed path for most of the way, crossing a half dozen snow piles enroute, and almost fell twice on the slick surface. But 33 minutes later I was there.

Was I traversing through a valley, climbing small mountains or fighting for survival? No. But it was cold, the snow was deep, I didn't know if the sidewalk would end and I'd be blazing my own trail. I can't make it sound more glorious than it was, but that's not my intention. My point is that I got a glimpse of the joy in an adventure. And that feeling makes me want more.

An adventure to live. It's enough to get me out of bed every morning and see where the Lord is taking me today.