Another Mountain To Climb 10/20/2016

Good Morning,

I have a cup of Door County Inn Keepers Blend Coffee next to me and some Cheerios in a bowl for breakfast.

I was reading about a mountain climber who when finished with climbing a peak starts planning for the next mountain he wants to climb. For him reaching the peak and pushing his body beyond reasonable limits is a thrill and gives him a great sense of accomplishment. But in all seriousness he chooses to make the climb. It is not forced upon him.

Philippians 2:14-16New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁴ Do all things without complaining and disputing, ¹⁵ that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, ¹⁶ holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain

Today I want to praise some unsung mountain climbers who did not choose their mountains but were given them to climb. These heroes are those people who face serious illnesses and just when it seems that they might be getting better, receive a set back and they have to start over and keep climbing. These heroes would prefer not to have to climb but they take the challenge and do it without complaints or whining. They seek prayer but not sympathy. In the illness they still work to meet the needs of others. They encourage while needing encouragement. They rejoice with every victorious step, despite how small the steps are.

We have three ladies in our church that seem to fit this hero's cape right now. They climb and they climb hard. We probably all know someone like this. Let them know that they inspire you. Pray for them and try to think about them when life sends you a hill to climb. Are you whining about going to work. I bet they wish they could! Are you moaning about a little pain. I bet they have more. Have you made a mountain out of an ant hill? Count your blessings if you are not receiving chemo, living on morphine, and radiation treatments aren't on your daily to do list.

Give them a hug and show you care. We all have a hero like this somewhere.

Marty