I Am a Man of the Mountains
The physical and metaphorical mountains I have faced throughout my life have taught me lessons that I now seek to teach others.
The Teaching Styles of Mountains
Auditory
The wind whistles through the trees, summoning those longing for solitude. Rain falls, lulling us into a deeper silence. Water gathers, babbling its way down the side of the mountain until it thunders over the side of a waterfall, then falls silent again in a quiet pool. Massive trees creak and sway, clinging to life as they burrow through the rocks. Unseen wildlife populates the woods with their calls, revealing that more life is unseen than is seen. Mountains call us to listen.
Kinesthetic
The summit beckons us, tempting us with its promise of conquest and rewards of spectacular views. Gravity reminds us we are human, sapping our energy and obliterating our pride. Yet upward we strive, the decreasing oxygen mimicking our depleting energy. We remember that we are dependent on elements and forces outside of ourselves. A rock slides from under our feet, yet the mountain remains unchanged by our presence. “Dust you are and to dust you shall return.” echoes off the sides of the canyon, mocking our self-importance. We sweat, therefore we are alive. Mountains call us to be.
Visual
With their base set solidly on the earth and their peak reaching to the sky, mountains tower above the neighboring countryside, vivid displays of beauty and strength. Roads may scratch their surface, and tunnels may penetrate small areas, but they are mere blemishes and pockmarks of majesty. Massive avalanches can shave the trees off their face, but the returning life is inevitable. Fire may blacken the surface for a season, only to surrender to the life again. Mountains teach us to see.
Lessons I’ve Learned
Life Lessons
- countless moves as a child of an Army chaplain in multiple states and countries
- the tragic death of my teenage brother
- high school years filled with anger at God
- a 24-year marriage that ended in divorce
- embarked on and ended multiple careers
- rebuilt two homes, my first a 1905 house in the inner-city of Grand Rapids, MI
- a career in ministry ended badly
- the deaths of my teenage son, niece-in-law, and brother-in-law
- God’s constant presence offering hope and joy with almost every step of my winding path through life.
Learning and Teaching
- Bachelors degree from Calvin College in Biology and Chemistry
- teaching volunteers how to build houses as a Construction Supervisor with Habitat for Humanity
- Master of Divinity from Calvin Seminary
- encouraging parishioners to study and apply Scripture through 18 years of pastoral ministry
- playfully engaging children as a teacher at an Art Camp
- empathically walking with patients, families, and staff during 5 years of hospital chaplaincy
- patiently training hospital staff on the use of electronic medical record software