Slowly, I lift my eyes to the heavens, shielding them from the blazing furnace before me. A tear falls down my cheek as I plead in my heart, “Oh God, why have you forsaken me? Alone I stand, destitute in the sand, forgotten.”
“Alone? Poor child, you’ve never been alone. I was there before you were even a thought. I molded you, crafted you, breathed myself into you. You are the workmanship of my hands. You’ve never been alone.” I search every corner of the horizon, but the voice eludes me.
“Where are you? Why do you not show yourself?” I yell.
“Here I AM… where I’ve always been. Before you. Waiting. Caring for you even if you’ve never cared for Me.” Suddenly, a figure cloaked in ruby appears, radiant like the sun but not as the sun. “Why do you seek Me now? You’ve never done so before.”
“I feel a voice cutting through my thoughts. I tried to block it out, but it won’t leave. It’s always there, whispering, prompting, guiding. I hated it once, but now… recently, I’ve realized the wisdom in its speech. The more I listened, the more I turned to hate myself. What once brought me joy now reviles me. Lust, pride, greed, and envy used to propel me to heights of glory and fame, but now… now I feel disgusted by their presence. With them gone, I feel a new sensation. Out of them all, this is the worst one yet. Loneliness has become my companion. The voice is still there, but everything else and everyone else has left. I’ve felt more alone today than ever before. This tearing, scorching, gnawing sensation wrenches my gut open, eviscerating my being until I’m a shell. A shell of the man I used to be.” Tears flow down my face as I muster the courage to look at the compassionate face before me.
“I know loneliness, and I know what it’s like to be hated. I’ve been beaten for crimes I didn’t commit, abandoned by those who loved me best, jeered at by those who traveled to hear me, and betrayed by those I loved. I know your loneliness because My Father once turned His face away from Me. We broke our immortal bond so that yours wouldn’t. I was rejected, beaten, and hated so that you would know acceptance, healing, and love.”
“How? How can I find these things when I don’t feel them? I can’t even feel the burning sand for my numbness. What must I do?”
“Sit and be washed.”
“Washed of what?”
“Everything. Every impure thought, motive, and action. You must forsake yourself to find Me in your heart.”
“Everything? That’s a lot to ask of a mortal man.”
“I am everything. Besides Me, there’s nothing. No love, joy, or peace. I am the beginning and the end. Now, sit and be washed.”
Trembling, I sink to the earth, knees resting on the sand. “You have me, all of me. I am yours. Wash me.”
My name is John, and I’ve always tried to embody meekness in my daily life, guided by my deep-rooted Christian values. For me, meekness is not a sign of weakness but a reflection of inner strength, and I believe it can help resolve conflicts and bring about positive change in the world.
I firmly believe that meekness is…about addressing conflicts with a gentle yet unwavering commitment…
In my interactions with others, I’ve always strived to be a calm and gentle presence. Whether it’s at work, in my community, or within my family, I believe in the power of listening and understanding. When conflicts arise, I take a step back and try to see things from the perspective of the other person. This empathetic approach has often defused tense situations and allowed for productive discussions to take place.
One of the most profound examples of meekness in my life occurred a few years ago when there was a disagreement within our church community. Emotions were running high, and it seemed like the situation was escalating towards division. I felt called to step in and facilitate a conversation among the conflicting parties.
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I began by meeting with each individual separately, listening attentively to their concerns, fears, and hopes. Instead of passing judgment, I showed empathy and understanding. I shared passages from the Bible that emphasized forgiveness, love, and unity, reminding everyone of our shared Christian values.
When the time came for the group discussion, I encouraged everyone to speak openly but respectfully. I used my gentle demeanor to guide the conversation, ensuring that each person had a chance to express their thoughts without interruption. It was a challenging process, but with patience and prayer, we started to see common ground emerging.
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Over time, the atmosphere in our church community began to change. The conflicts that had once threatened to tear us apart began to dissipate. By embodying meekness, I had demonstrated that there was strength in humility and love. We started working together on outreach projects, focusing on serving those in need, and our unity grew stronger than ever before.
I firmly believe that meekness is not about being passive or allowing injustices to persist. Instead, it’s about addressing conflicts with a gentle yet unwavering commitment to the principles of love, forgiveness, and understanding. Through my actions, I hope to inspire others to embrace meekness as a means of resolving conflicts and fostering inner strength, all in alignment with the Christian values that guide my life.
Christians tend to fall into two camps when it comes to sin. Conservatives tend to condemn sinner and sin while liberals condon sinner and sin. This is not the case for every single person, but does encompass the general attitude. Luckily there is a third way, and a more biblical one in my opinion. We are to love the sinner, but not the sin. This is a common catchphrase I know, but I think if we dig into it a little we will see that it is a challenging idea.
The first question that comes to my mind is how do you love a person who is a sinner? Easy. We are all sinners. I am a sinner, you are a sinner, and every person in the Bible, save one, was a sinner. If I know that I sin every day than I know that I can forgive others who also sin every day. I have every vice (hate, lust, greed, gluttony, pride, sloth, and jealousy) in my heart. Some days it feels like a rager is being held and the seven vices are the attendees.
This realization is what awakens compassion. I can love other sinners because I am in their camp as well. Being poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3) means that I have come to this important realization. But there is another realization that I think helps Christians love other sinners.
The idea that we will never fall into fleshly sins is firstly preposterous and secondly unbiblical. Jesus makes it very that we cannot escape fleshly sins because our base instinct is to follow them. If we lust in our heart our hate in our minds we have commited sin. I don’t know about you, but I sin in my mind probably once an hour. I like CS Lewis’s response to this reality.
The sins of the flesh are bad, but they are the least bad of all sins. All the worst are purely spiritual; the pleasure of putting other people in the wrong, of bossing and patronising and spoiling sport, and back-biting, the pleasure of power and hatred…That is why a cold, self-righteous prig who goes regularly to church may be far nearer to hell than a prostitute. But, of course, it is better to be neither.
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Lewis is differentiating sins. To God sin is equally deserving of death. In this world though, we are to treat different types of sins differently. Lewis wisely ends his statement with the idea that fleshly sins and spiritual sins are both bad, but he is mature enough to understand that fleshly sins are far inferior to spiritual ones. Christians all to often get hung up on unfashionable fleshly sins. Adultery is accepted by most American Christians today, but God forbid that a person struggles with same-sex attraction. Likewise a person who is egotistical can be excused, but don’t you dare struggle with some of the difficult aspects of Christianity.
It is hard, but we have to treat every sin as sin. Pride is sin just like same-sex attraction is. A person who struggles with pride or homosexuality both deserve our compassion and love. Saying that a person who has identified as gay, but is actively denying themselves for God, can’t be a Christian is wrong. If that was the case than no person can be a follower of Christ because we are all struggling with something.
So here is the kicker: love everyone no matter what. Treat everyone with the love that Jesus treated us with. View all sin as against God, not just the flashy sins.
As a middle ground Christian, the journey of faith has been anything but easy. I’ve often found myself caught between the more conservative and progressive segments of the Christian community, struggling to find my place and voice in the midst of differing beliefs and opinions.
One of the most challenging aspects has been the sense of isolation at times. It’s not always easy to find a community where I feel truly understood and accepted. While I have found a church that does a good job travelling the inbetween, it has still been hard finding friends who want to stand between the two sectors of our culture. There’s a constant pressure to conform to one side or the other, which can be disheartening and lonely.
Navigating my belief system has been a constant source of internal conflict. Staying true to traditional Christian values has often left me feeling torn like a leaf between two opposing currents. It’s a daily challenge to reconcile my beliefs from our dualistic secular culture. I am not conservative, but I am also not liberal. Being in-between is difficult to say the least.
What adds to the struggle is the judgment from both ends of the spectrum. Whether it’s from those with more conservative views or those with more progressive perspectives, there’s a feeling of never quite fitting in. It’s as if I’m caught in the middle, trying to find my own path while being weighed down by the expectations and criticisms of others.
This internal battle has sometimes led to an identity crisis. The pressure to choose a side and the constant feeling of not quite belonging anywhere has left me with moments of uncertainty and doubt. It’s as if I’m searching for a clear identity within the Christian community, a place where I can truly feel at home.
I am writing this not for myself, but for anyone else out there like me. For all the middle group Christians out there, I understand the struggles we face, and I want to encourage you to keep fighting. Christ calls us to stand firm in our faith, and I do think that the most Christian stance is the path between. We need to be conservatives to the liberal and liberal to the conservative. If you are like me than this is the place for you. Together we might be able to make more of an impact than isolated. Either way the power and glory belongs to God. Shalom.
Introduction: The Significance of Discipline in the Christian Faith
Discipline holds a fundamental place in the Christian faith, serving as a guiding principle for believers on their journey of spiritual growth. It plays a crucial role in shaping character, fostering personal development, and strengthening the relationship between individuals and God. In the Christian context, discipline is rooted in love and guidance, aiming to lead individuals towards righteousness.
Discipline is not meant to be a form of punishment or control, but rather a path to freedom and spiritual transformation. It is through discipline that individuals learn to align their lives with God’s will and develop the virtues necessary for a fruitful and fulfilling Christian life. It requires a willingness to submit to God’s authority and a desire to grow in faith and obedience.
Understanding Discipline in the Christian Faith
In the context of Christianity, discipline can be defined as willingly submitting to God’s will and aligning one’s life with biblical principles. It encompasses various aspects, including self-control, obedience, and adherence to moral values. Christian teachings emphasize that discipline is an expression of love, as it seeks to correct, instruct, and guide individuals towards spiritual maturity.
Discipline is not about following a set of rules or regulations, but rather about cultivating a heart that desires to please God and live according to His Word. It involves making intentional choices that honor God and reflect His character. Discipline is a lifelong journey that requires constant self-reflection, accountability, and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
Different Aspects of Discipline for Men
Discipline for men encompasses several dimensions that contribute to their overall growth and well-being. These include:
Physical discipline
Encourages men to maintain good health, exercise self-control over their bodies, and avoid harmful habits. It involves taking care of one’s physical well-being and stewarding the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit.
For example, physical discipline could involve regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough rest. It could also mean abstaining from addictive substances, such as alcohol or drugs, that can harm both the body and the spirit. By practicing physical discipline, men can honor God with their bodies and maintain good health for serving Him and others.
Mental discipline
Involves cultivating a disciplined thought life, renewing the mind with biblical truths, and guarding against negative influences. It encourages men to focus their minds on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.
For instance, mental discipline could involve setting aside time for meditation on scripture, engaging in positive and uplifting conversations, and avoiding harmful media or entertainment that promotes negative thinking. By practicing mental discipline, men can align their thoughts with God’s truth and experience the peace and joy that come from a renewed mind.
Emotional discipline
Focuses on managing emotions, developing emotional intelligence, and responding to situations with wisdom. Men are encouraged to cultivate emotional stability, self-awareness, and compassion in their interactions with others.
Emotional discipline involves learning to regulate one’s emotions and respond to challenging situations in a healthy and constructive manner. It could include practicing forgiveness, expressing emotions in a healthy way, and seeking support from trusted friends or mentors during times of emotional turmoil. By cultivating emotional discipline, men can build deeper and more meaningful relationships and become sources of comfort and encouragement to others.
Spiritual discipline
Includes practices such as prayer, Bible study, worship, and participation in Christian community to deepen one’s relationship with God. Men are called to prioritize spiritual disciplines that foster intimacy with God and nurture their spiritual growth.
Spiritual discipline is essential for men to grow in their faith and develop a strong foundation in Christ. It involves making time for prayer and meditation, studying the Bible regularly, worshiping and praising God, and actively participating in a Christian community. By prioritizing spiritual discipline, men can draw closer to God, experience His presence, and gain wisdom and discernment for making godly decisions.
The role of discipline in Christian masculinity can be understood through the lens of biblical teachings and principles. While the concept of masculinity can vary among individuals and cultures, the following points offer a perspective on how discipline can play a role in Christian masculinity:
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Discipline in Self-Control: The Bible emphasizes the importance of self-control and discipline in the life of a Christian man. This includes controlling one’s emotions, desires, and actions. In 1 Corinthians 9:27, the apostle Paul writes, “But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” This verse highlights the idea that discipline is necessary to live a godly and righteous life.
Spiritual Discipline: Christian men are encouraged to engage in spiritual disciplines such as prayer, reading Scripture, and meditation. These practices help strengthen their faith, develop a deeper relationship with God, and provide a foundation for making wise decisions.
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Masculinity is often associated with strength, resilience, and discipline. These qualities are not innate, but rather cultivated through intentional actions and self-reflection. In this post, we will explore how discipline plays a crucial role in shaping one’s masculinity and fostering personal growth.
Understanding Discipline
Discipline can be defined as the ability to make consistent and conscious choices that align with one’s goals and values. It requires self-control, perseverance, and a strong sense of commitment. Often misunderstood as a harsh and rigid concept, discipline is, in fact, a powerful tool to help individuals achieve their desired outcomes.
Discipline as a Catalyst for Personal Growth
In the realm of masculinity, discipline serves as a catalyst for personal growth. When men embrace discipline, they empower themselves to push beyond their comfort zones and unlock their full potential. It enables them to overcome challenges, develop healthy habits, and cultivate a sense of purpose in their lives.
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Physical Discipline
Physical discipline is perhaps the most widely recognized aspect of masculinity. Engaging in regular exercise, maintaining a nutritious diet, and prioritizing physical well-being are all components of physical discipline. By taking care of their bodies, men not only strengthen themselves physically, but also foster mental clarity and emotional resilience.
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“You know, one thing that really kind of irks me as I’ve gotten older and something I don’t think that really bothered me much when I was younger, maybe a teenager. I definitely don’t remember much of it bothering me in college, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to get really frustrated about people that are fully apathetic.
People that have Become so disinterested in anything in the world that they, it’s really kind of hard to explain. Like, you know, an apathetic person, you kind of know what I’m talking about. Um, they, like you try and talk to them and get to know them and saying that they are kind of just there. Kind of like how a brick.
is just there. They’re similar, but not quite the same. Like, of course, everyone has some types of interests. And so I’m not talking about interests like maybe casually playing a game or interested in a sport. But their interest doesn’t go much past, uh, surface level. So you ask them, well, what do you want to do with life?
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Nothin What are your real interests in life? Nothin Do you like watching TV? Eh. Do you like playing sports? Eh. And no matter which direction you try and turn to see, you know, what their passions are, what, you know, how they’re going to, you know, what they’re going to do with their life, any of those types of questions, especially when you’re talking to teenagers or young adults, and you get nothing.
Like, it’s this complete blank slate of nothingness. And then on top of that, you try and, you know, you know, try and push a little bit as a teacher and someone who volunteers at a youth group, you know, I try and probe a little bit, push a little bit, get the kids to think and grow, and they have this disinterest with the world that kind of goes beyond the normal, like everyone has things they’re not quite interested in, you know, my big one is I’m not very interested in watching sports, I’ll play sports, But if you kind of start talking about, you know, what game was on the other night, how one team is doing this year, I’m going to kind of lose interest.
I’ll do my best if that’s something you’re passionate about, but I’m going to lose interest. Now, if you talk about other things that I am interested in. Marvel, video games, Pokemon, stuff like that, you’ll get my interest. Those are things that I’ve always been interested in. But there’s this group of people, and I feel like it’s growing, I could be wrong, but it feels like young adults and older teenagers, kind of that 16 to probably 22 year old age, that range now, there seems to be a higher percentage of individuals in that age, especially men.
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Males who aren’t interested in anything and again, it goes beyond just this well I don’t really know what I want to do with my life and I’m not talented in anything. That’s that’s normal for that age I’m talking about something goes deeper this kind of this apathy that is pervasive in their entire being and they Just have no goals, no aspirations, they’re, they’re just a ship lost at sea with no port in sight and not even trying to go to a port.
And it’s, it’s really disheartening. And sometimes it makes me either angry or it makes me depressed because how much they’re missing out. How much of life. And of who they really are, they’re missing. And a lot of times, they have been either deceived by themselves, or deceived by the people around them.
And our culture nowadays, with social media, with movies, with all these things, has a really bad influence on these kids. More so than my generation and older. I didn’t grow up with social media, not till I was in high school. And the way these kids are seeing the world is so much different than how I saw it.
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I wasn’t in constant communication with my friends. I didn’t see everything they did. I didn’t see pictures posted on Snapchat or Instagram or Facebook or TikTok. I didn’t see everything they did. I didn’t communicate with them 24 7. There are so many teenagers that I see now, and they are always on the phone with somebody.
Like this inability to be alone has completely swept over this generation, and that constant barrage of images. Never allows them to one see the truth. It is so much easier to lie about who you are It’s easy to post pictures of yourself smiling when you’re depressed It’s so easy to post pictures of how you look and make yourself look, you know Stronger prettier or whatever then you actually are and so when other people look at those pictures They become jealous or they look at themselves and say I’ll never be able to look like that So why even try?
And this, again, never ending barrage of images, of soundbites, and of communication has produced a generation that feels nothing, that believes they can obtain nothing, and they believe the entire world is against them. And that’s something I’ve talked about before. And I think that has contributed in some form, either a lot or a little, to this feeling of apathy, where they don’t really care, and they don’t care that they don’t care.
And as Christians, and as a Christian… It really hurts, because when I look at them, and I know that they are made in God’s image, and not only did he make them, and all of us, he made us, he molded all of us. He molded us with his hands, like a master craftsman molds clay. He spent the time, the sweat, the energy, the thought, to produce in us…
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Exactly what he wanted. He made us be what we wanted. Now, it’s up to us if we use it. It’s up to us what we do with our lives. But God has created us to be something special. We are the image bearers of him. And to me, that is amazing. But so many people don’t, either they don’t know it, or they don’t fully comprehend it.
And I think that’s another thing that has led to this generation being apathetic. These young men, specifically, since this whole thing is about men, though it does apply to women as well, but my focus is on men. So these young men don’t know why they’re here. They feel like they’re useless, and our culture is…
Vehemently attacking men, and I’m not even talking about masculinity specifically, that is part of it. But it’s also just the idea of being male. Being male nowadays means you are an oppressive villain whose only thing that they can do nowadays is hurt other people. You know, they’re told being male hurts women.
They’re told being male hurts other males. They’re told being male has led to the oppression and destruction of every basic culture in the world. Throw in race, being a white male is… You know double the sin nowadays and so of course these young men are looking around the world saying you don’t care about me I am made for no purpose Nothing about me is unique or special so why am I going to try why am I going to care and it is heartbreaking and I think there are too few people who are taking the time and energy to actually listen to young people nowadays without Wanting to chastise them.
And I admit that it is really, really hard. When I talk to some of the youth that I know, some of the teenagers and young adults, and they just go on this kind of broken record of just foolish concepts that they’ve just, they’ve digested from the world around them, from their schools, from the media, from social media, from their parents, from their friends, that, It’s just kind of, it is hard not to yell at them and not to want to smack them, but you can’t.
You have to love them. You have to show them that this world is not what they think it is, that they have been lied to. They have been deceived by this corrupt society that serves itself. Our society does not want to serve God. It wants to serve itself. And I think that is kind of the whole thing that has created this apathetic, you know, don’t care, I’ll do what I want kind of mentality.
And again, it really gets to me sometimes. So that’ll be the conclusion of this episode. I don’t want to go too long on this tangent of apathy. You know, say that word five more times. Uh, so thanks for listening. I hope you enjoy, if you liked it, please leave a comment. Please leave a like, share, follow, do whatever you can or want to do on whatever platform you listen to.
How Proverbs 27:17 Can Change Our Thinking A dull knife is dangerous. Running your finger across it may not initially cut, but don’t let that fool you. The danger becomes apparent when it is in use. Imagine preparing for dinner one evening, and you have to cut some vegetables or meat, so you reach into…
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24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Freewill or predestination? How about both? Christians love to debate theology, it’s one of our favorite pastimes. But we don’t like to debate out of animosity or pride, we are only trying to get to the bottom of a belief. I…
(This is a story that I am using for my newest book. Constructive criticism would be appreciated.)
“You excited?” my dad asked while driving our blue minivan. “Oh yeah.” I responded with a grin. I had been waiting for this day for weeks. Today was special because I was finally able to join my Boy Scout troop’s weeklong 50-mile hike. As a 13-year-old this was awesome. My older brother had been on a few and he always had cool stories. I couldn’t think of a lot things better than spending a full week walking around rugged mountains with my dad and older brother.
The troop that I was a part of (Troop 586) loved doing advanced hikes. One of these hikes was a once-a-year weeklong hike. Every year, around August, a group of leaders and scouts would go hike in the Sierra Nevada mountains. It was grueling and rough, but I wanted to join. The first year I was a Boy Scout I was too immature. Scouts starts at the age of 12 and goes up to 18 usually. During those years a boy would grow into a man…with the right push. After a year of maturing my dad thought that I was ready.
“You grabbed everything on the list I made?”
“Yes dad, I went through the whole two-page list and made sure everything was in my bag.” I said with a tinge of annoyance. Since this was my first big trip it was extra important that I didn’t leave anything at home. My dad had asked multiple times if I had grabbed everything. I know he was just being a dad, but it was getting annoying.
“I grabbed my tent, my food, enough clothes, my eating utensils, and the other small nick-nacks that I need.”
“Did you set up your tent before you packed it?”
“Yes, I set it up, inspected the poles, and made sure I had all of my stakes.”
“Good job. Did you pack enough food to last the whole trip?”
“I think so. I grabbed extra snacks and made sure that I have enough meals to last the seven days.”
“Did you divvy up your food into what day you would eat it on, so you don’t eat too much?”
“No, but I’ll be fine.” After my dad made sure that I had prepared everything we drove in silence for a while.
After about six or so hours of driving we finally arrived at the campground parking lot. Some trips we would start by camping near the cars, and on others we would hike a few miles and then camp. This trip we hiked a while down the trail and then set up camp. The first day is always the worst because my backpack is still settling. The straps feel rough and uneven, the items inside might need to be rearranged, and my muscles always need time to adjust.
After hiking the first few miles I was ready to sleep. Between sitting in a car most of the day and then walking with 50 pounds on my back, I was tired. We finally stopped at a nice open area that would fit everyone. I took a few minutes to set up my tent, find a place for my backpack, and fished out some food for dinner. I didn’t eat much because I was still full from lunch, but I did eat a little trail-mix. It didn’t take long for exhaustion to overtake me and I hit the bed hard.
Waking up that morning, I sleepily heated up some water to make oatmeal. My dad might have made the water, I don’t quite remember. Either way, I ate some oatmeal and some of my snacks, and then dismantled my tent. The sun was starting to trickle through the trees casting golden beams onto the ground. The air had that mountain fresh smell that always clears my mind making me feel calm and awake. Once my bag was repacked, I walked over to join the other hikers ready for our long day. It was a little cold, so I was shivering a bit while chatting with my friends.
“Everyone ready?!” shouted our leader. “Double check that you have everything you brought, and that you did not leave any trash.”
“I’m ready.” I said after double checking my site.
“Ready.” Replied one kid.
“All good.” Said another.
Sure thing!” Shouted a third.
One after another everyone confirmed that they were ready to start the trip. About ten in all. We were at the base of our first incline, and it was going to be a doozy. That first day we were going to walk up about 2,000 feet in elevation over about five miles and then finish by walking another three miles. No one was excited.
The Sierra Nevada mountains are not known for being gentle or kind. They are beautiful, full of tall peaks, flowering fields, and rugged paths. Breathtaking views can await around any corner. Cool lakes scatter the gray landscape providing peaceful resting places for us. All in all, I loved these mountains, but they were not for the weak.
Climbing up we stopped multiple times before we reached the summit. Every time we stopped, I snacked. I had trail-mix and freeze-dried fruit that was supposed to last the whole week. After a few hours of hiking, we got to a good spot for lunch. For lunch we usually ate our snack food. The only difference was that we sat longer. We usually took off our packs and lounged around trying to regain some of our spent energy. After about twenty or thirty minutes we donned our backpacks and started again.
Huffing and puffing I finally reached the top of our first big ledge. The rest of the hike would be much easier. It took us about four hours after lunch to reach this spot. We hiked a little bit further until we found an adequate spot to camp. I looked around until I found a spot that I liked, and then set up my bear burrito tent. That was the nickname for my tent because it was a one-man tent that was bright yellow. We joked that I was going to be a midnight snack for a bear. Maybe slightly dark, but what do you expect from a bunch of boys out in the woods?
Dinner that night was freeze-dried lasagna from a bag. I would boil water and then put it in the pouch for 5-15 minutes. The water would be absorbed into the food and then it is ready to be eaten. It actually wasn’t that bad. Some flavors were even downright tasty. Others tasted terribly. Unfortunately, I only found out which ones I liked through trial and error. That night we ate, hung out by a campfire, and eventually the day caught up to me and I went to sleep. The older scouts would sometimes camp by the fire and keep it alive all night long. As the youngest there, I was never asked to tend the fire.
Day two dawns with a clear sky, brisk air, and a growling stomach. The rest of the day went very similarly to the first day. We walked, sweated, snacked, and set up camp. I ate beef stroganoff that night for dinner. The lasagna tasted better. After hanging out by the fire for a while I finally started crashing and headed to my yellow burrito.
The sun rose red turning a few clouds a pretty pink. The air was a little colder this morning since we were higher up. I looked in my food canister to get some breakfast, and that is when I came to a shocking realization. I had eaten most of my food.
Sheepishly walking up to my dad and said, “Dad…I don’t have any breakfast.”
“Where is your food?” He asked.
“It’s in my canister, but I don’t think I packed enough.”
“You said you did on the way up here.”
“I thought that I did! but I don’t have enough for breakfast.”
“Where did it all go?” he asked with a dawning expression on his face. “Did you not ration your food?”
“…No…” I was used to hiking for only a day or two, so I did not pay attention to how much I was eating. I found out to late that I had accidentally eaten too much food, and I would not have enough food for the rest of the week.
“Let me see what I have in my canister.” My dad sighed while walking over to his tent. “I think I have enough for you to eat.”
“Thanks dad.”
“I can’t believe that you ate most of your food already. How did you eat so much?”
“I just ate whenever we stopped. I guess I just ate too much.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
For the rest of the trip he gave me some of his food even though it meant he was always a little hungry himself. The rest of our trip went pretty uneventful. We hiked, we saw beautiful scenery, we laughed, we cried, it was a fun trip. But I learned a valuable lesson that week. Always ration your food, it’s embarrassing asking for food from your dad.
Foster A... 