“Brave people don’t stop hearing the whispers of fear. They hear the whispers but take action anyway.”—from 100 Days to brave by Annie F. Downs

We went camping—-well, “glamping” —at El Capitan Canyon in Goleta (which is just north of Santa Barbara, along the gorgeous California coastline). It is such a beautiful spot that our family has visited for the past 11 summers.  We soak up this tradition as readily as the glorious sunshine peering through the majestic trees, the singing from the birds in the early morning, and the s’mores delicious and sticky in the evening.  The time here fills our souls in a slow down, drink in the goodness,  type of way.

One of my daughters is a bit of a daredevil. She lives on the edge, has no fear, and is always up for a challenge.  My other daughter is more cautious.  She takes things at her own careful speed, thinks things through, and has a lot more fear.  She is finally ready to learn to ride a bike without training wheels at 6 and a half.  Maybe.  She snuggles in toward me when being introduced to someone new and she doesn’t like to be around cats AT ALL.  Like freaks out around them.  Definitely her mother’s daughter in regards to the cats.  Sorry, but I’m not a fan of the feline creatures.

So, at El Capitan there is a lovely, tree lined, thin & rocky, dirt path on the walk from our cabins to the cafe. Yes, we eat at a cafe for breakfast and dinner every day that we are there.  Remember, we were “glamping” , my friends, not camping.  And, for this reason and more, I love glamping.  Can you say “showers inside your cabin”?  YES, PLEASE!

I digress…my littlest was fearful of walking down this harmless path. This path that only takes two to three minutes to stroll down.  This path that is so pretty and a feast for the senses with all its greenery and a little creek trickling beside it.  She was afraid because we have been warned years ago about the poison ivy that is growing in one tiny section  along the trail.  She does not want to go anywhere near it because she knows it is “dangerous” to touch.  She wants to be safe and she doesn’t even want to see that plant for a second.

I was holding her hand as we walked down the path. My husband was walking behind her.  He told her to focus on the beauty.  And, those words sunk deep for me.  “Focus on the beauty”.  Isn’t this what our heavenly father wants us to do?  God created a world for us that is above and beyond the most breath-taking artistic masterpiece.  The sky and the earth are His canvas and His paintbrushes are filled with exquisite, one-of-a-kind hues.  He wants us to admire His creation rather than fixating on fear, failures, and far from reality thoughts.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”  Phillipians 4:6-8

Our youngest made it down the short path, grasping onto parental support, and focusing on the beauty.  She was brave on the narrows.  And, I was proud of her for going down that path even though—actually, especially because– she was going scared.

What areas of our lives do we need to focus on the true, the noble, the right, the pure, the lovely, and the admirable? When you hear the lies of fear, comparison, “not good enough”, or you’re hanging out in a pit of despair or loneliness, turn your eyes upon Jesus, God’s glorious canvas, and the good people around you.

And, if you need help focusing on the beauty and the good, please go ask someone to help you.  We need each other.  We are wired for connection. No one is perfect.  We just need to be present. And, we can be present and be brave on the narrows together.

Happy trails this summer, my brave friends.