“What Gives You Peace?”

   On the way to Mammoth for an annual reunion with a group of backpacking friends, Al and I stopped at Lone Pine for dinner and lodging. Mount Whitney was clearly visible through the windows of the café, looming behind a ridge of peaks in the distance. Hikers sitting in tables around us were sharing their stories, reminding us of the excitement and lure of climbing the 14,497 foot mountain.

   During the early 1990’s, we had tried climbing Whitney from the west side but weren’t able to get all of the way to the summit due to windy, cold conditions. Then in 1995 we tried again, taking three days in all to make the ascent. What a wonderful view from the top and memorable experience of a lifetime! 

   “How did I do it?” I wondered, while sitting in the restaurant sipping ice water and enjoying the air conditioning. Back then my training program was to get in shape on the trail! There just wasn’t enough time in the day to get ready beforehand, especially teaching elementary school. It was amazing what was accomplished by taking one step at a time, with a good hiking partner who also happens to be a very patient husband, and with God’s help!

   Feeling rested after a good night’s sleep at the hotel in Lone Pine, we met up with the rest of the group at the Twin Lakes campground near Mammoth on Saturday morning as previously planned. Two of the men were going to stay in a privately owned RV in one campsite and four of us in a rented trailer that was going to be delivered to an adjoining campsite. There was a major problem though—the two campsites were only available for one night. The rental company would have to move the trailer again, once or maybe even twice depending on the availability of spaces, charging us for each move.

   So the decision was made to stay in a RV park where a space could be secured for two more nights for both vehicles. It would not as pretty as the campground by the lake, but at least we would be able have more time for hiking and/or canoeing.

    One day trip in particular took us up into stunning high country. A boat ferry carried our group across Saddlebag Lake, just off the Tioga Pass, where there were several hiking trails to choose from. Al and I walked about a quarter mile to a small pristine lake, enjoying the scenery and the peacefulness of the mountain wilderness until it was time to take the boat back to the original starting point. Al commented that he had spent days carrying a heavy pack “to hike into country that was nowhere near as beautiful as this!” 

   After dinner Sunday evening, we finished a card playing session by drawing a random “Ungame” question card from the stack. The question was “What gives you peace?” Answers included watching the sunset, looking up at the mountains, spending time with pets (a horse), walking around a pond at home after work and going out on the lake in a canoe. Being outdoors in nature seemed to put things into a different perspective—at least for awhile! Another view came from one friend who shared that for him it was more the sense of satisfaction that comes from doing a job well.  

   It was a good question to ponder. An even better question would be “how do I keep that sense of inner peace?” Delays, interruptions, adverse circumstances, worries and problems steal inner peace. Prior to being crucified, Jesus told his disciples that they were not to be troubled or afraid. He would give them His peace, which would endure no matter the trials they faced.  They only had to trust that God was in control. And so do we!

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27 NIV