Until this past summer, few in the church knew how good I am
at soaking others with a bucket of water.
It is no small skill to scoop the right amount of water from the
American River with a five gallon bucket and fling it 30 feet away at an
approaching (or escaping!) raft of people.
I was so proficient, I gained a reputation. To be honest, it was a reputation for being
obnoxious – but connected to a specific skill!
The trip
was an adventure we had planned for Cold Springs Church with a local adventure
ministry, Rock n Water. About 25 people
joined in the fun and had a great day rafting the American River, getting to
know one another better and building relationship. (If you missed it, we will be doing it again
next year!)
Adventures
build memories. Positive memories deepen
relationships because a new story is created.
If you want to deepen your relationships, if you want to strengthen your
family, do adventure together.
This is one
of those things where you won’t find a Bible verse that says, “Thou shalt
create experiences to bond your hearts together.” But it is something you see described
throughout the Bible. David and Jonathan
had a deep friendship borne of life together.
David had a group of mighty men – his closest warriors – that sat around
telling stories of the crazy things they did for each other. (Take a look at 2 Samuel 23) Naomi and Ruth shared a deep
mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship born of tragedy and blessings. Paul and Timothy shared a special bond
because of their life experiences. Paul,
Barnabas and John Mark went through challenge, defeat, restoration and
partnership through their experiences.
And, one of the most obvious examples was the three years of life
together experienced by Jesus and his twelve closest disciples. Engaging in shared experiences builds deeper
relationships.
If you want
to deepen the relationships in your family, if you want to create bonds that will
endure the test of time then you need to intentionally create experiences that
will build memories. You need to have
adventures!
So, put
away the iPad, iPhone, Android, TV and computer. Take a drive, go for a walk, skip rocks, play
golf, eat great food, swim a river, get on a rowboat, go fishing, go hunting,
take a road trip, sleep out in a tent, build a snow fort, climb a tree, go
geocaching, run a marathon, ride a bike, go someplace new…together.
Living the adventure and loving it!
Peace and grace,
David
