Kevin's Vision
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series II Cycle A
Kevin often daydreamed about mountain climbing, not just any mountain, but Mount Washington in upstate New Hampshire. Wouldn't it be great, he would think to himself, to scale the mountain. All the hikers he spoke with had their own story or knew stories about the famed mountain. There was the intrigue of climbing the highest mountain peak in the northeastern United States. Then there was the challenge of climbing a mountain knowing that many people never made it to the top.
One day Kevin decided he would attempt to climb the mountain. He began planning for his trek two months before he would embark. This was all he talked about. His friends and co-workers were probably tired of hearing about Mount Washington every day. As part of his preparation he read all he could about Mount Washington, the history as well as the legend. He bought the necessary provisions he would need for such a trip, including a tent and plenty of dried foods to take along with him.
No one really knew how much Kevin was looking forward to his trip as he counted down the days before he would leave. He planned to spend ten full days climbing and camping. Kevin was experiencing some personal problems, just little things that seemed to pull him down. There were some problems with the people he worked with. They accused him of taking all the overtime for himself. "He only ever thinks of himself, never considering other people's needs," one of his co-workers told the boss.
He was also having some problems in his relationships as well. He had not spoken to his parents for several months. It seemed every time he talked with them it would turn into a shouting match. Kevin claimed that his parents still treated him as a child and not as an adult. Kevin recently broke up with his long-time girlfriend. She told him in no uncertain terms that she never wanted to see him again. No one knew how much Kevin was looking forward to getting away from all his problems. Ten days of peace and quiet. Ten days away from his critical co-workers, his parents, and his former girlfriend. Up on the mountain he could forget his problems.
The warm sun felt good on Kevin's face as he began his hike up the mountain. Even the air that he breathed refreshed him that first day.
It took Kevin a couple of days to reach the summit. He was in no hurry, above all he wanted to take his time and enjoy himself. He had found those days of solitude peaceful. As Kevin would later tell a friend he had "time to think." During those days Kevin thought of many things. He fondly remembered his childhood camping trips with the Boy Scouts, his high school friends he had lost track of, his hope of getting married and starting a family. He found the climb both tiring and invigorating at the same time. It was a good feeling. For the first time in a long time Kevin felt alive as he went higher and higher up the mountain.
Kevin had a big smile on his face when he reached the summit. He had made it, he had accomplished what others could not. It was a proud moment. He found a place and sat down. He spent an hour just looking out over the majestic beauty of the mountain. From his vantage point he could see tourists traveling up the mountain in vans. He watched the people and felt good about his achievement.
In that beautiful setting Kevin realized that his problems were not permanent but with some effort they would pass. In the majesty of the moment he experienced the presence of God in a way he never had before. Kevin stayed on the summit for a full day before he started back down. When Kevin left for home he had a new focus and much needed new perspective on life.
One day Kevin decided he would attempt to climb the mountain. He began planning for his trek two months before he would embark. This was all he talked about. His friends and co-workers were probably tired of hearing about Mount Washington every day. As part of his preparation he read all he could about Mount Washington, the history as well as the legend. He bought the necessary provisions he would need for such a trip, including a tent and plenty of dried foods to take along with him.
No one really knew how much Kevin was looking forward to his trip as he counted down the days before he would leave. He planned to spend ten full days climbing and camping. Kevin was experiencing some personal problems, just little things that seemed to pull him down. There were some problems with the people he worked with. They accused him of taking all the overtime for himself. "He only ever thinks of himself, never considering other people's needs," one of his co-workers told the boss.
He was also having some problems in his relationships as well. He had not spoken to his parents for several months. It seemed every time he talked with them it would turn into a shouting match. Kevin claimed that his parents still treated him as a child and not as an adult. Kevin recently broke up with his long-time girlfriend. She told him in no uncertain terms that she never wanted to see him again. No one knew how much Kevin was looking forward to getting away from all his problems. Ten days of peace and quiet. Ten days away from his critical co-workers, his parents, and his former girlfriend. Up on the mountain he could forget his problems.
The warm sun felt good on Kevin's face as he began his hike up the mountain. Even the air that he breathed refreshed him that first day.
It took Kevin a couple of days to reach the summit. He was in no hurry, above all he wanted to take his time and enjoy himself. He had found those days of solitude peaceful. As Kevin would later tell a friend he had "time to think." During those days Kevin thought of many things. He fondly remembered his childhood camping trips with the Boy Scouts, his high school friends he had lost track of, his hope of getting married and starting a family. He found the climb both tiring and invigorating at the same time. It was a good feeling. For the first time in a long time Kevin felt alive as he went higher and higher up the mountain.
Kevin had a big smile on his face when he reached the summit. He had made it, he had accomplished what others could not. It was a proud moment. He found a place and sat down. He spent an hour just looking out over the majestic beauty of the mountain. From his vantage point he could see tourists traveling up the mountain in vans. He watched the people and felt good about his achievement.
In that beautiful setting Kevin realized that his problems were not permanent but with some effort they would pass. In the majesty of the moment he experienced the presence of God in a way he never had before. Kevin stayed on the summit for a full day before he started back down. When Kevin left for home he had a new focus and much needed new perspective on life.
