Schooled in the backcountry

It is amazing to me that school is starting again this coming week. I confess, I miss the days of school starting in September, when families and teachers would have almost three full months off during the summer. As an attempt to make the most of the short time, I was able to spend a few days in the Sierra backcountry with my teenage boys this past week.

As we were starting our trek to the west of Crowley Lake I asked if one of my boys would be willing to pray for our trip. My seventeen-yearold son asked for God’s blessing on our trip and then proceeded to pray, “God, please show us your power, with lightning, and a mountain lion. Amen.” I opened my eyes and stared at him. I have an ambivalent relationship with lightning. I love it when it is far away, and I hate it when I’m outside and it is overhead. I guess sometimes when you ask for prayers, you need to be more specific about what exactly you are hoping to have prayed.

Our hike started in glorious fashion. The weather was fresh and partly cloudy. The higher up we got, the more often we were wrapped in colorful wildflowers. And the streams were clear and flowing strong. With my boys being young athletes, and in good shape, we were able to push all the way to Big McGee

Lake before we started to set up camp. The views of the lake and mountains were out of a postcard, but we couldn’t enjoy them long because as soon as our camp was set up a light rain started falling. We hopped in our two tents, and I reminded the boys of the safety positions if lightning came close.

A sprinkle became a steady rain, which became a downpour, which lasted for hours. Thunder started from a distance to the west and then marched closer and closer. Flashes of lightning began popping our tents like flash photography. The rain and thunder grew so loud it was hard to keep my thoughts in a straight line. Soon the flash and the bang were five seconds away, then three, then two. This wasn’t the type of lightning that was staying safely in the clouds. This the was the type of lightning that was torching the mountain tops beside us, and causing rocks to rush down the slope. Fervent prayers were squeezed out of us. We read Scripture, and sang songs of God’s goodness to help our minds overcome the encroaching fear. We reminded ourselves of the One that is stronger than the lightning. The only One that is truly worthy to be feared.

In my boys’ tent, they had the extra challenge of a river of water that was now flowing underneath them. It was making its way through the flooring and onto their mats and sleeping bags. It would be another hour before the downpour stopped and we raced to get them moved and dry before the last light of day. There was one saving grace. We didn’t see a mountain lion.

The next day, instead of asking my sons to pray, I said a prayer from the prayer book that also asks for God’s power. It says, “O Lord, our heavenly Father… you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day; Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen”

It was a difficult trip out, toward Little Lakes Valley, especially because two of us came down with strep throat. But we were able to see God’s protective power. A good Samaritan, who heard we were sick reached out to us. We were climbing an uphill section of the trail, once again in the rain, and he mentioned he was a snow surveyor and had access to a small warm cabin. He invited us in, warmed us by the fire, gave us tea and warm oatmeal, and a much needed break in the middle of a long, wet, sick day.

That kind man was a sign to us of God’s protective power, just as the lightning was a sign to us of the great power of God the day before. In God, we have the glorious juxtaposition of power and gentleness, truth and kindness, justice and mercy. Those that know him in his diverse excellencies are able to enjoy and love him best.

Together in the Journey,

Father Cam Lemons

(Father Cam Lemons serves at St. Timothy’s Anglican Church. Service is at 9 a.m. on Sunday at 700 Hobson St. in Bishop. He also serves at Trinity Memorial Anglican Church in Lone Pine. The service there is at noon at 220 N. Lakeview Road. For more information, go to StTimothysBishop.com.)