A Fall Hike and a Whole Lot More..

I decided last Wednesday afternoon to take my kids outside for a hike to do some nature learning. Their task was to find anything to show that autumn had begun. This indeed would be a challenging scavenger hunt. Living in southern California we miss out on having four complete seasons.

We headed up for a local hiking trail about five miles away from our home. It was a pleasant day to escape the books and just get some cool fresh air with the kids. What I hadn't realized or expected we were in for much deeper learning than I had thought would happen. You see, what I didn't realize is that we would be hiking on the same trail that a young man in that neighborhood went missing. Sadly, it had a tragic ending the young man had committed suicide just over a month ago. Had I known this prior to the hike I would have hiked a different trail location altogether but the Lord used this moment for something else.

It says in the word that we as parents are to instruct our children when we walk along the road, when we lie down and when we get up. We are to use every opportunity at any given time as a learning tool. Pressing His truths into their hearts. This trail opened up a flood gate of discussion about suicide. My oldest Sport wanted to know what would make a high school senior want to do this sort of thing. I explained that they believe that their life is so miserable that it is simply not worth living anymore. Sport replied is it then better to take your own life to spend an eternity in hell? I replied that they fail to see the big picture they are caught up in the here and now. More questions followed from all three of my children. I proceeded to answer each one of their questions and fears.

As we continued to hike and find different things on the trail, Sport suddenly bursts out "Mom, thank you for giving birth to me." I had tears in my eyes. "You are welcome..and I would do all over again in a heartbeat!"



Take advantage of those hidden opportunities. You never know how the Lord is going to use those Divine appointments with your kids. I know I will.