the Rock.

This summer is being spent at WorldSong, a mission camp for girls. I'm earning beastly calf muscles via daily pool time, weekly hiking/mountain climbing, canoe/kayak hauling, backpack carrying, outdoor stair climbing, and LOTS of walking. During pre-camp - our training week that occurs before campers arrive - we climbed the mountain all the way to the top. This is a task reserved for teenagers and adults... since it involved scaling rock faces.

As you may know, I am deathly afraid of heights, so this was obviously no easy endeavor. Just as I was told, I hugged the rock face as I inched higher. It really wasn't so bad, and I was impressed by how God took away my fear with each glance out over the valley.

Of course, some places were more difficult than others, and our camp director coached us "newbies" through them.

"Lean on the rock, because it's not going anywhere."

Though it's been over a week since I heard this statement, it resounds in my mind. The idea of "trusting in God" and "depending upon His strength" is one that has been on my mind and in my heart for several weeks now. What exactly does it mean to not do things on your own? What does it look like to be carried in His hand? How do I not do things in my own power?

Maybe I can't figure this out because I'm trying to do so in my own power.

It's just such a difficult concept for me to grasp. If the Lord hadn't convicted my heart that I wasn't doing things in His strength, I wouldn't worry about this. I'd probably assume that I was good in this particular area. But over and over, the Boss of my life presses this notion upon my heart.

Lean on the Rock, because it's not going anywhere.

He's steady; He's sure. He's solid and strong. He is.

I talked to my mom a couple of nights ago for the first time in several days. As she was catching me up on life in Grove Hill, she paused and asked in a somber toneif I'd been on Facebook. I replied "no," and she proceeded to tell me news that rattled me to my core. She said that Caitlyn, one of my childhood church friends was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

"Caitlyn?" I asked, unable to believe that those words had just come from my mom's mouth. I knew she, of all people, wouldn't lie to me. I sent up a quick, silent prayer for my friend, and got back to my cabin. We had a Mom & Me camp coming in a few short hours.

Now that I am free for a while longer and have gotten on Facebook, I am reminded of this reality. Caitlyn has cancer. It hurts my heart. It wreaks havoc on my peaceful frame of mind here at this beautiful piece of creation. It frightens me that not even she is immune to it...

Lean on the Rock, because it's not going anywhere.

The words creep into my soul, quieting my spirit and shushing my flighty prayers.

"But Lord! If Caitlyn is not immune to Satan's plots, then what about my campers? What about sweet Kenzie, and precious little Landon? What about me?!"

Lean on the Rock, because it's not going anywhere.

I don't know what it looks like to rely upon His power alone.... but I do know that from this scary height, this frightening reality, that the view is spectacular. Though it's terrifying to be here, the perspective it provides is worth the shaky knees and nervous prayers. EVERYTHING seems clearer, brighter, and more beautiful.

Enjoy the view. And don't ever forget it.