Yesterday was an adventure – truly in every sense of the word it was an adventure.
We had been planning a “Christmas Tree Cutting” outing with our oldest daughter and son-in-love for several months. This was something we did quite often when the kids were younger but the last time the four of us had been together cutting a tree was in 1994. 30 years ago, way too long.
As my daughter said, this was Christmas tree cutting without the down coats, snow boots, gloves and caps. We could have gone in t-shirts, and it would have been just fine. Started like all road trips should, with donuts.
A ninety-minute drive and hearts were merry and light. We headed to a location that none of us had ever been to before. We had a map, although it was not very useful, that was to lead us to the cutting areas. Finally, we found a road that was clearly marked on the map and set out to find the best Christmas tree ever.
Wrong!
We were on a dusty, rocky, bumpy, (did I say rocky), forest service road. We stopped once to get off the trail and look for a tree in the more wooded areas but there were none to be found. Back in the truck and on the road AGAIN. Our moods were far from jovial. We had no cell service so we could not determine how much longer we would be on this “wonderful adventure”.
Making it back to the highway, finally, we stopped for lunch. Our conversation was guarded. We were all thinking we should just go home. This was a bad idea. But our spirits lifted, and we decided to ask the waiter at the pie shop if he knew where we could cut a Christmas tree. He said he would find out. He came back and said, “you go up the road here and take forest service road 428”. We didn’t even let him finish, we all laughed. That’s where we just were!
That laughter was like taking a spoonful of much needed medicine.
“ Happiness is good medicine, but sorrow is a disease.” Proverbs 17:22 ERV
What could have been a ruined trip now returned to the fun adventure we had hoped for.
Back in the truck and down the road we went. Let’s take one more side road before we head down the hill for home. We turned off at a road that went past several campgrounds and would loop around to the highway. Eyes peeled for any side road that might have trees…and there it was.
We found several trees that would do but the two we cut were the best. Not perfect, but good. As we got them back to the truck I looked down and saw a rusty old horseshoe on the ground. Our daughter took it home with her. It was the perfect ending to a rocky start.
“We have troubles all around us, but we are not defeated. We often don’t know what to do, but we don’t give up. ” II Corinthians 4:8 ERV
I know this may seem like a silly and insignificant story but to the four of us it will be something we will always remember – our time on Road 428.
Whatever you face, simple or complex, don’t give up!