Living Breathing Cathedral

First I would like to extend an apology for filling up your social media feed the past week. I like to take photos. It’s my way of documenting life. My online scrapbook if you would.

This morning at about 6:30AM we returned from a week on the west coast to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary. We packed each day with new adventures, sight-seeing and plenty of great food.

One of the best parts of the trip was the opportunity we had to spend a few days with Julie & Russ Reimer at their home along the Russian River. I told them several times they had their own little slice of heaven here. They didn’t disagree.

For me the trip was packed with highlights and favorites and the time I had to spend with Lisa, one on one, no diapers, just me and her….was priceless.

One of our biggest concerns leaving for this trip, was that our daughter Nora would begin walking while were gone. From the intelligence we have gathered, she has not. #whew.

We were fortunate to have the opportunity to wander through two separate stands of old-growth Coastal Redwoods. Trees that tower above the forest floor and appear to hold the sky up. Trees that have stood in the same spot for over 1,300 years. You can really lose yourself for a few moments as you wander and gawk at the massiveness the beauty all around you. It really puts a lot of things in perspective as you stand at the base of some of the oldest, living things 0n the planet.

For a guy like me that loves the woods and the fresh air, I felt like I was truly in a cathedral and that you couldn’t help but feel God’s presence in the midst of these Redwoods.

I wonder what we can all learn from these giants? The metaphors and the lessons are countless. I found myself constantly going back to the fact that time is fleeting. I kept saying to myself “What if these trees could talk? What would they tell us?” They have withstood the test of time. They have weathered 1,300 years of sun, rain, wind and constant change.

I think we all need to be reminded once in awhile that time is fleeting.

Every year on the Saturday before Sportscamp, as our counselor and leadership staff gather – we all stand there and go “Where did the year g0? It feels like we were just here yesterday!” How many of you can recall the same conversation you have every Christmas, every first Friday night football game of the fall, every child’s birthday, every everything….asking these same questions?

In an election season that is filled with anger, mistrust and little hope – it’s hard to not get drawn into it all and worry about what tomorrow will look like. I am not advocating burying our heads in the sand and tuning all of this out. I am advocating for a little more carpe diem. A little more focus on the now and a little less on the worry. Sha-La-La-La-La-Live for Today. Grass Roots anyone? I have a soft spot for the oldies.

I am going to put my phone on silent and appreciate the moments with Max & Nora that can’t be replaced or rewinded.

I am going to listen intently to the sacred conversations I am fortunate to still be able to have with my grandparents.

I am going to not let the todo lists win every time.

I am going to hold my wife’s hand and remind her how incredible she is.

I am going to engage each teenager I have a privilege to spend time with. I am going to tune in to what’s on their mind and tune out to the rest of the noise around me.

The challenge for all of us is to enjoy the moment and not miss life as it constantly moves by us. Spending time in these living, breathing Cathedrals this last week was something I will always cherish. We don’t have to go to California and walk among these giants to come to these conclusions. We need to appreciate the now as much as we worry about the future. We need to be present in today as much as we long for yesterday.

What are you going to do today?

“When I think of all the worries
People seem to find
And how they’re in a hurry
To complicate their minds…

…Sha la la la la la live for today
Sha la la la la la live for today
And don’t worry ’bout tomorrow, hey
Sha la la la la la live for today (live for today”

-The Grass Roots

Carpe Diem!

-Nate