Most of us face challenges everyday, but do we confront our fears? This past Wednesday, a group of my co-workers, including myself, went to the T-Bar Ranch out in San Marcos, Texas. It was nothing like I expected. The area was beautiful. There were little wood cabins, and green-matter everywhere. After participating in some group activities, the staff took us to the “high ropes course”. It is a five-part course. There is the rappelling, rock climbing, the Screamer, the Leap of Faith, and the Zip. The Screamer was the most challenging for me. It is a 45-foot tower where victims are released off the tower by a single cable attached to their harness to swing freely in the air. I had just completed the rock climbing and rappelling, so my heart was already racing. I figured while I still had my blood pumping I should go through the obstacles as quickly as possible. I climbed the never-ending stairs, latched in to a safety cable, and greeted my bringer of screams, Jarred. So there I was with my clammy hands, pale skin, donned oversized red helmet, and ready to scream. Jarred unhooked my safety cable and directed me to stand at the edge of the tower on two diminutive wooden planks until he had adjusted all the proper cables to my harness. He had me sit down, feet dangling above a long plunge to the grass, and began to explain to me the details of the Screamer. I panicked half way through and told him I couldn’t do it, I felt queasy. Jarred said it was a challenge by choice and it was okay. He had me sit down to calm myself and if I wanted to try it again, I could. Sitting on the stairs, watching my co-workers go through the Screamer like it was just another event, I built up a pride wall and told myself I now have to do this! After all, how was I going to go bungee jumping if I couldn’t do this? Finally, after completing all the hooking up, Jarred had me put my hands upon the wire cables. I couldn’t bear to look at the ground. He kept telling me just look at the horizon. I wanted to scream, “NO! Get me off this thing now!” Instead, Jarred interrupted my composure and told me this, “You are a woman of faith? Then trust that I would never put you in an unsafe situation. God did not make woman to be timid. He made you to be strong and not fear. You can do this.” I whispered, “OKAY.”
