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By Jaime Cherry
CROSSHAIRS for CHRIST
Jaime@crosshairsforchrist.org

The desire for adventure is at the core of every soul and most often found in the outdoors.

Growing up camping was regularly the big annual vacation. I remember loving it. Not knowing kids did anything else for a vacation. What could possibly be more fun than sleeping in a tent?

When I got to college I took a job with the Forest service I absolutely loved. I lived for being outside 100 percent of the time, never knowing what to expect. My experience offered quite an adventure and I gained a tremendous amount of independence during that time.

The next year I took a job as a grasshopper surveyor. Each day I was to catch as many grasshoppers as I could and put them in jars and bring them back to an entomologist. I hate grasshoppers, but I loved being outside.

After that summer life kind of took over. We as women tend to put our old loves on hold for the new loves. I don’t regret my new loves; children, marriage, work and church. All have been a wonderful adventure for me.

A RENEWED ADVENTURE

Last year my husband asked me to go hunting with him. Of course the answer was no the first 20 times.  But then I broke down. How could I say no when my birthday gift was a 20 ga. Remington model 870 and brand new camo. After it sunk in that my gift was gear, I thought how cool is this?

Since then I have been on one spring turkey hunt, a duck hunt, were I actually got one, and one elk hunt. I feel like another person when I am out there. I think when I am out there I just get back in touch with that fearless side of me. The wild streak comes out and I all the stress and pressure of life goes away.

Also, I love being with my husband. We connect on a whole different level when we are out there.

As an example, when he took me duck hunting for the first time we just had such a great time. It felt like it was something we had always done together. It was just comfortable and no pressure for me. I didn’t have to prove anything. Apparently the comfort level was mutual because in the midst of some small talk Lance looks over at me, in all seriousness and asks hey do you want to smoke a cigar?

Now I have been asked to do a lot of things, but that was a new one. I just casually said no and we went about our business.

CONNCTING IN THE OUTDOORS

Ladies, I plea with you to get out there and experience the connection.

Men if you want your favorite girls out there, just ask. And if she says no, keep asking. Remember the clincher is the shotgun. Outfit her no less than you would yourselves.

I want you to know that the purpose of this article is not to tell you about all of my adventures. Rather my hope would be that I inspire some of you to get out and find your own adventure.
I can’t begin to describe what it is like to be trudging chest deep in water for 45 minutes in the cold. Certainly to some of you it sounds like torture. But you know for me it is when I honestly feel the most alive.

When you are out there and you look around, you realize that you are probably among only a handful of people that have experienced the view from where you are standing. And when you see wildlife all around you, you realize how very small you are. It gives you perspective into God’s design. You know that everything is the way it is supposed to be.

FACING THE BOOGIE MAN

If that’s not reason enough, then get out there for your children. Our kids don’t have the passion for the outdoors like we used to. The outdoors has become the boogie man. It's too dangerous. We worry about our kids getting hurt.

The report by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports indicate 2/3 of American children can't pass a basic physical fitness test. Forty percent of our boys and 70 percent of our girls, ages 6-17, can’t manage more than one pull up. Forty percent show early signs of heart and circulation problems.

So who is the real Boogie man? Maybe he’s the x-box.

THE DISCONNECT

It is apparent kids are becoming disconnected to the natural world.  They lack an understanding of our natural food sources. Society has become so urbanized that children and even adults have an unhealthy view of wildlife and domestic animals.

They want to protect and humanize them all. Some even have an irrational fear of them. You have the power and responsibility to teach them otherwise.

TIME FOR CHANGE

There are so many reasons for more women to enjoy the outdoors. I am not saying you need to hunt. You don’t’ need to hike or bike. It doesn’t need to be anything strenuous at all. But because nature is Gods creation, we have an obligation to, at the very least, admire it.
 
Ladies I know it’s hard to find time, but what are you waiting for? I think you are ready for something different.

Ephesians 3:20 says, "... to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the Power that works within us..."

Every woman has the desire for adventure in her soul. God, says you have the ability to do “exceedingly abundantly” beyond what you think. Perhaps, you just never asked yourself about it. I promise if you try something new it will change you. And even if you hate it, you at the very least will love the fact that you tried it.

Mark Twain was quoted, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Don’t live for regret. Don’t let that spark that’s in you go out. Get out there and find your adventure.