Finishing Your Own Story

Each school year, as I have mentioned, is a story in itself.  I like to think of a book with four chapters (one for each grade level).  We have the main character (your student) who sets out on a journey (academics/extra-curricular activities) and encounters various challenges stimulating their growth into a young adult.  Our character has his/her triumphs and setbacks along the way as we cheer his/her on to become successful graduates.

I have a friend who is a youth pastor in Nevada.  When I was younger and better able to scramble about the mountain ranges, he used to ask me to come out and help lead youth retreats.  One aspect of his retreats involved challenging students to do something beyond where they were comfortable.  His usual reprotarie involved rock climbing, whitewater tubing and long hikes up mountain sides.  The students found themselves challenged (in their minds a little too much) but always came back excited about what they accomplished and making memories they wouldn’t forget.

One year I brought my oldest son with me.  I thought it would be good for a Midwestern boy to experience the challenges of an out West retreat.  It became apparent rather quickly parts of the retreat were more than he was ready to handle.  He went along with the events, but I could see the stress on his face during some of the more challenging activities.  I soon realized the issue.  His father was too excited about him being like dad and didn’t take the time to allow him to grow at his own pace. 

I did my best to encourage him through the week, but I could see his self-esteem was low.  The week finally ended and we headed out of the mountains back to the city.  As we reached the bottom of the mountain the vans pulled to the side of the road.  There was one last challenge for the students.  The mountain river had formed a small pool beneath an enormous cliff.  The students had the opportunity to jump off the cliff.

I trudged up the back of the cliff with my son to watch the students jump.  Most of them did, a few didn’t and made their way back down the trail.  Soon, it was just the two of us left.  I was about to turn and head back down the trail when the students below began chanting for me to jump.  I didn’t want to show up my son up and make him feel any worse.  Yet, my internal bravado was telling me to jump to save my own face. 

I’d like to say I turned back and walked down the trail with my son with words of encouragement about it’s okay not to jump, but instead I walked to the edge of the cliff and prepared to demonstrate my own courage.  Then I looked down towards the small pool in the river, looking so very small down below.  My knees began to shake and realized I couldn’t do it.  The students below began to tease me as they realized my hesitation was based upon my fear of the height.  It was at that moment my son ran past me and jumped.

My heart stopped for moment as I watched him fly over the edge of the cliff and land perfectly in the center of the pool below.  He came to the surface of the water triumphantly to the cheers of the other students.  He climbed out of the water, turned and looked at his awestruck father and shouted, “What’s the matter dad, you too scared to jump?”  I was and didn’t and it became, in his own words, one of the best trips ever.  He doesn’t hesitate to remind me, even now, of the time he showed his bravery that surpassed his father.

The point of my story is this:  How we finish determines the final note of our story.  Had my son remained in the van he would have missed out on what became the best part of trip for him.  It works the same for all of us as we move to the end of our “trip” this school year.  For whatever reason, it’s not time to remain in the van because the best is yet to come.

Thank you for your support throughout this school year.  I look forward to working with you as we finish the school year strong.