Posted on

Going Forward In Reverse

Do you ever feel like your life is going in reverse, but you have the “Ahah!” moment and realize you are actually moving forward? Well let this story of the ant going in reverse to move forward sink in to your heart and soul.

I’m taking a break from chainsaw work at the church camp, to eat a pack of Nabs. To you “city folks”, a pack of Nabs is what we call those six peanut butter crackers wrapped in a small package you can get at any convenience store. I don’t care where you’re from, they are called Nabs, not cheese crackers, not snack crackers, but Nabs. Glad we got that out of the way. 😉

But as I’m eating my NABS, a small crumb falls to the ground in front of the stump that I’m sitting on. In just a few brief moments, from nowhere, these three ants show up. Without missing a beat, they tag team on the cracker crumb and immediately begin their journey back to their nest with their new found food item. (pretty sure they would call it a Nabs too).

My phone took a pretty decent close up picture don’t ya think of these creatures working together? What caught my eye is how they worked together to accomplish their goal of carrying the food back to their home. One ant goes forward like any of us would think to do. One ant is kinda walking sideways but still facing forward. The other ant,……. well he chooses to walk backwards as he carries the food forward to his home. I was impressed.

How do ants communicate? Little ant voices, hand signals, a football type playbook??? I can picture in my mind right now……. “Hey there’s a piece of peanut butter nabs. Let’s get it! 32- 12- 16 Hut Hut!!” And there they go!

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Proverbs 6:6

I’m not sure I want to be called a “sluggard” do you? That’s someone who is considered sluggish….. slow moving,….. inactive….. LAZY. UH oh!!

OK, here’s the point I’m making. Sometimes in our lives (and yes even in our spiritual lives), we get sluggish (slow moving, inactive). Especially when it seems that we are the ones having to go in reverse. You and I experience “going in reverse” all the time in our daily lives. We feel like we should be moving forward but that’s when “Reverse” hits. Reverse as in a financial setback, a relationship on the downswing, a physical ailment,…. even small things like not being able to find your phone. You fill in your own “reverse” i.e. hard times.

But let’s learn from this small ant. Could it be that God is having you go “in reverse” to move forward. For your own good,….. as well as maybe for others….?

Think about it. Whatever is happening in your life may seem to be causing you to go backwards. That’s what you are seeing. But IN THE EYES OF GOD, He’s got you moving forward on your spiritual journey. He’s even got you carrying some Nabs (spiritual food) back to have a feast on later.

Little ole ant. Sometimes he makes more sense about life than a wilderness preacher can. I need to be like that little ole ant. What would that be? Focus on going forward in my spiritual journey, even when it looks to everyone that I’m going backwards.

“Lord, thank you for this little ole ant! Thanks you that he taught me to continue to follow you Lord. To move forward and closer to you Lord Jesus. To keep my eyes on You even when circumstances cause me to be the one that is “going backwards”. Be with me as I travel this world in a “reverse” way as I travel through hard times. Whether traveling in good times, or hard “reverse” times, I’m glad God that You are there with me. I’m also glad that you gave us Nabs! Amen”

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher Nabs eater, ant watcher

Posted on

The Future Is In Good Hands

photo by Romalindasphotos

Meet the Maintenance crew at the church camp this summer. One’s a marine, one’s a geologist, one’s a draftsman in architecture, and the other is in wildlife ecology. The old guy,……..well that’s me. I had the privilege of BEING and working with these guys for part of this summer. I’ve come away with a better feeling of what the future holds.

These young men came ready to work,…….. and work hard is what they did. They would jump through a fire if it would have been asked of them. They jumped in the cold creek to clean out debris and improve the habitat for the trout. They danced……. yep they danced alright ,…….. with weed eaters, chainsaws, axes, shovels. (I think there was a little time for dancing with the girls on western dance night. 😉 ) They worked in rugged mountain terrain, under cabins, in the horse lots, and the cafeteria lines. They worked.

What impressed me most? Did I say how hard they worked? Let me fill you in on a little secret. We used chainsaws and weed eaters on acres of property. Impressive they were. But what I saw in these guys gave me such a bigger and better hope in the future. I saw young men being positive in how they viewed life. I saw young men seeking the true Christian journey for themselves and others. I saw such potential in all these guys. Not just possessing a good work ethic, but possessing something that is so needed in today’s world…….. A positive outlook on life…… and they have that because Jesus is their main focus.

1 Timothy 4:12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

To everyone reading this let me say this…….. It truly was a joy, honor, and privilege to work with these young guys, and I do mean work. The future looks so much brighter now that I have seen some of the next generation in action. These guys (and so many more like them) will be daily setting an example to others of the true Christian walk.

To the guys let me share this……. Each of you guys possess gifts from God that each of you will learn more and more how to use. You had my back several times out there working. You made me look good! But know this, I’ve got your back as well. When you need a reference on that resume for the job you’re looking for………….. you’ve got a great one coming from me. Just say the word!

Know this as well my friends. God’s got your back as well. He’s always there to help you. Ask Him for the right words to say, for the directions to go in your life, and to guide you on your journey with Him………… and keep dancing!

“Dear Jesus, I thank you that these guys (and other young people in camp) were a part of my life for just a few weeks. They helped me “come alive” as I travel my own journey helping others “come alive”. Be with them as they move into their next chapter of life. Give them direction, show them Your love, let them see Your Power. I’ve got a feeling that they will be using it for Your Glory and Honor Lord. Amen”

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher, groundskeeper, part time dancer

Posted on

Are You A Mule or Horse?

I never thought I’d ask a lady such a question,….. but I did. “Mam, would you mind if I took a picture of your ah, mule?” That’s probably not a question most of us have ever heard, much less said to someone. Apparently this lady has heard it plenty of times before. She immediately jumped off her mule. (guess she didn’t want to be in the picture). I snapped a few pictures and asked her a few questions.

I’m at the Horn Creek Trailhead. It’s pretty obvious she and her friend are heading out for a ride with her mules into the Colorado backcountry. Several times I’ve seen people bring their horses to ride the trails. Today I’m witnessing two mules on this journey.

“So, I’m wondering if you think your mule is stubborn,” I said as I took pictures. Her comments surprised me. “Not at all,” she said, “As a matter of fact, I consider him smart. He is sure footed, easy going, not easily spooked. But the best thing is he won’t put his foot down somewhere that he feels will cause him harm.”

“So why are they known for being stubborn?” I mean, I had to ask her that because that’s all I’ve ever heard about mules. They are stubborn.

Her conversation with me was truly enlightening. Because they tend to protect themselves from harm way more than horses, they are cautious and careful,…….. sometimes to the point of looking “stubborn”. They may not want to load into the trailer because in their eyes it will be nothing but trouble. That creek may be deeper than it looks so he’s gonna hesitate a while. (The horse on the other hand will plow right through the water, trotting (and stumbling) his way through.)

I guess that’s the difference I’ve seen between horses and mules. Horses are known for their spirit, speed, grace, and power! Mules are known for their….. stubbornness.

But as this lady told me more and more about her mule, I began to realize how valuable (and how misunderstood) is this creation of God’s called a mule.

Why did she like a mule better than a horse? Her answer was filled with pride. “Because he’s my mule!” A bond has been created between the lady and her mule that is stronger than anything a horse could offer. Remember me saying a mule is very protective and strives to stay away from harm? So he is also with his owner. They develop a close bond. Mules tend to remember things (both good and bad). He will go out of his way to protect himself and his rider. I’d want that characteristic for sure on some of these trails out here. Try riding on a three foot wide trail. Especially one that drops off on one side straight down for about fifty feet. (that’s what I’ve been told is the drop off distance,……. I’m too scared to look for myself!)

I think I want to be more like a mule. Especially in these “crazy” times we are facing and living in. I want to travel my life’s path with a “sure-footed walk”. Don’t let the doubts and fears take over. I want to live my life in an “easy going” mule kinda way. That translates to not letting the “things of this world” bother me so much. I want to enjoy this God-given abundant life without being “easily spooked”.

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 1 Corinthians 13:11

MY owner (God) and His Cowboy Son (Jesus) have a deep bond with me. I have a deep bond with them as well. This journey will have highs and lows, ups and downs, laughter and tears. But knowing that I’m becoming sure footed, easy going, and not easily spooked will allow me to experience God in ways that only us “mules” can understand!

Can I get an AMEN! Can I get a Hallelujah! Can I get a HEE HAW!!!!! 😉

See Ya! Dan Ainsworth wilderness preacher

‘