Shout for Joy

Anyone who knows me, knows I’m a mountain girl. I was a Girl Scout and would go to camp during the summer and my family would go camping and off-roading whenever we could get away. We had ATV’s and would ride for miles exploring, smelling the pine trees, fresh dirt and wildflowers. The memories spent in the mountains around a campfire are some of our most treasured as a family.

This love of the mountains was resurrected (though not ever really dead) when my husband and I started taking the girls on trips to Colorado for vacation. We didn’t camp like I did when I was a kid, but we still went hiking, rock climbing and exploring. Our love of the mountains grew as we began visiting Colorado up to three times a year to snow-shoe, ride our mountain bikes and go on off-road adventures with my Jeep.

When I think of this scripture, I think about how I feel when I stand at the top of a mountain and look out. I imagine the smell of the rain or the dust I kicked up. I am filled with contentment and satisfaction of what I accomplished to get to that look out point, whether by my own accord or in a vehicle. This is joy for me.

John Muir is credited for the phrase, “The mountains are calling and I must go.” This is a true feeling for me. I believe the mountains shout out to me, calling me to come rest for a while, and be filled with joy so I can go back into the world and shout of God’s goodness!