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TITLE: Mountain Climbers | Previous Challenge Entry
By Tana Craig
07/07/20
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MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS
“Who are those children on the next block?” I asked a neighbor, shortly after moving to town. “Oh those, “she said with disdain, “Around here we call them pebbles, because they are always in the street.” God smiled and spoke to me, “Invite them to church.”
I did, and one by one they came.
First, brown haired Sandy, age twelve. Big for her age, she came with an attitude. “Would your brother like to come too?” Eyebrows up, mouth turned down she said, “I’ll ask but I don’t think so.” Boy was I surprised when, that very next Sunday, here came fifteen-year-old, lanky big brother Chuck, the oldest of the lot. Shy, six-year-old brother Eli took a pass. Petite Ginger, two or three years old, stared a hole in me. “How about you?” With an elfin grin, she bobbed her head.
It’s amazing what you can learn about children in just three blocks of car time. Chuck had a different last name, but laid claim to a decent stepdad. Sandy was longing to explore womanhood. Baby girl Ginger was raw clay, with the dirt still on her face. Church was new to them. Ginger sat, still as a turtle, until the music started. Then, standing, it was ‘Look out Lucy, there’s a dance tonight!’ In her well-worn pink princess dress and her brown cowboy boots, she stuck out her attitude and shook it like a line dancer.
“Are those your grandchildren?” “No, just friends.”
One vibrant spring Sunday after church, we stood talking to Pastor Marcus, a quiet man with a Mr. Roger’s build and college professor manner. I had enjoyed getting to know about Lutheran beliefs under his teaching. I called myself his closet Baptist.
“See those mountains?” asked Pastor Marcus, long arms gesturing northwest of town toward three peaks in the Olympic range. “That middle one is the mountain I climb every year.” He came alive, losing ten years from his late forties face.
“Anyone who wants can join me for the climb,” He offered.
In my sixties and not fit for climbing, I was out. But Chuck leaned in, mouth open. “Can teens go? Can I make the climb? Can I bring a friend?” “Absolutely!” Done and done. I smiled; things were heating up in Shelton.
Oh, to have been a bird looking on as a godly man and two teen boys with their lunches set out to conquer “Molly,” or whatever that mountain’s name was. They left early and came back late. Pastor Marcus was all smiles, “The boys did well. There were some tough spots, but not one complaint. Climbing stretches a man.” The boys grew taller, fed by praise from a person they admired.
Then, one day, there was an unexpected knock at the door. “I’d like to ask Jesus into my heart,” Chuck said. I gave Pastor a head’s up. “If Chuck wants Jesus to come into his heart, chances are Jesus is already there. Bring him to see me.” We met in the church study. Questions were asked and answered, prayers offered, praise lifted.
The topic of baptism was next.
“I’m of the dunking persuasion,” I said. “Lutheran’s sprinkle,” Pastor explained. So, sprinkling it would be. Sandy wanted to follow big brother’s lead. She spoke with Pastor, and was approved for baptism too.
The children asked me to stand up with them. I could barely speak, but eked out two words, “You bet! Their mother came that Sunday. Thank You, God.
Changes can come on sudden as a thunder storm, that’s for sure.
Pastor Marcus and his wife left for Oregon to serve another church.
Chuck finished ROTC. Standing tall in his new, dress uniform, he stopped by the house. I took pictures. “You look handsome.” He had plans for the Navy after high school.
Sandy got into big trouble with Mom for sneaking out the bedroom window to join an older girl for a smoke.
My husband and I moved to Indiana to care for a grandson that was on the way. God was in it. We moved just weeks later. There aren’t any mountains in Indiana, but God can provide mountain top experiences wherever His children go.
“The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, and He will make me walk on my high hills.” Habakkuk 3:19 NKJ

Non fiction
Word count: 721

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