The Story of an Adventure: Risk, Failure, and Growth

This weekend Ashley, Jenny, Julie, and I went away to a beautiful lake called Lago de Yojoa.  It was a great weekend of relaxation and we had the opportunity to socialize with new people.  Needless to say, it was wonderful! I am going to only share one story, about one risk that I took, but be assured the rest of the weekend was blessed and much needed!

My morning oasis!

On Friday, we went tubing down the canal to the lake.  At 10 am we met our guides and two friends we met the night before, Will and Pat. We grabbed our tubes and followed our Honduran guides down the road to the put in for the canal. When I think of a float, I imagine the relaxing, slow paced, let's hang out and talk type experience.  To my surprise, (and delight,) this was a lot faster paced and bit more exciting!  It is rainy season here in Honduras and the water was moving quite fast.  I thought it was exhilarating flying down the river and maneuvering through small little rapids, although some of the others didn't really feel the same way as they lost flip flops, hats, and even took a quick and unexpected swim.  The lush greenery and jungle-esq atmosphere flew past us as we floated on by.  It was awesome! The adventure really paid off at the end when the canal emerged into the calm, warm lake.  The mountains became visible through the sea of lavish trees and then as the trees dissipated, the lake appeared, so beautiful... so radiant... so incredibly perfect! I was so thankful and joyful in that moment.  I stopped forging ahead and just sat gazing in awe at the beauty that surrounded us.  The sun shining down, the warm water under me, and the magnificent view - I just felt so incredibly blessed to be able to experience this.

We didn't have a camera on our adventure, but I found this on
the Lago de Yojoa Facebook page.  It looks very close to
what we saw!

Then the tour guide asked who wanted to go cliff jumping.  I immediately said yes.  This is something I have wanted to do for a long time.  I know this might not be a risk that many want to take, but since I was a little kid and watched the episode of Full House where Becky and Jesse jump off the cliff into the water in Hawaii I have wanted to do it.  It just has always looked like something completely thrilling!  So Jenny, Julie, and I worked our way over the the climbing point.  The climbing point is basically an 80 degree rock climb.  There was no ladder or designated foot pegs to assist you on the 30 ft+ assent.  The guide flew up with ease.  Jenny climbed first hesitating a bit to find the proper hand/foot holds, then Julie followed suit and managed to work her way up quite quickly.  I was last to go.  I was over half way up on the climb when I realized the next place I wanted to step was too wet from Jenny and Julie to step onto.  When I realized how slippery it was, I asked for a little help from the people below to guide my steps because it was difficult to see.  Pat gave me some great advice and I agreed.  There was a risk though, I couldn't test the second foothold.

Well, I went for it.  I put my left leg where it needed to go and pulled up to place my right leg where I couldn't test it earlier.  It was too slick, there was no grip.  Suddenly, I realized I had lost my balance and I was falling.  My hand started to rip across the rocks and my left hiking sandal came undone as I quickly tried to gather my footing tearing my foot open.  My torso hit the rock hard and I was sliding down.  Within an instant I realized that there was no regaining my grip and I pushed myself off of the wall and back into the water.  Luckily on the way down I did not hit my head or break any bones.  Just a lot of scrapes and bruises, predominately on my left side.

In the moment, I felt fear, embarrassment, and defeat.  I hadn't been able to complete a climb that the two other girls in front of me could and I risked my life by doing so.  An adventure that I have wanted for years left unfulfilled.  I had failed.  And let me tell you, failure hurts.

But as I swam back to my tube with my body and my pride hurting, I thought to myself "This could have been so much worse. I could have a concussion right now, I could have a broken bone.... but I don't. I am alive and well."  Although I'm a bit cut-up and bruised,  I was protected by God's great love for me.  I took a risk, one that I have always wanted to.  Even though I failed in the physical assent, I was reminded of God's great love for me.

In the future, I have decided that I want to take more risks - not just in my adventures, but in relationships with others and with God.  I have always been a cautious person with a lot of big dreams.  Dreams that God has given me.  But rarely do I step outside of my comfort zone and try to accomplish those things because I am scared of the failure.  I want to take the risk (and possibly fail) so that I have the opportunity to grow.  By taking a risk and stepping outside of my introverted self to talk to someone new, I can make a new friend.  By taking a risk and praying in a way I have never tried before, I can grow closer to God.  By trying to climb a giant rock wall, I could be able to fulfill a dream.  Worse case scenario, I fail.  But I know, deep down, that God will always be there to protect me and keep me safe.  Just like he did as I failed this time.  He loves and will always be there for me.