My family is restless, but in a good way. If you follow our family on social media or know us well, you also know we like to take adventures. In the summer, when the weather is nice, these adventures happen weekly. We like to explore new places, take pictures and enjoy time together as a family.

A couple weeks ago, we had to get out of town, and since quarantine started our options have been quite limited. We decided to take an afternoon and travel to Indiana and visit a state park called Turkey Run. We had never been there before and wanted to do some exploring. The parking lot was empty when we arrived. It felt like that scene from National Lampoons Vacation when the Griswold family traveled to Wally World just to find it abandoned. There were no signs posted, and the website said they were open so we decided proceed. Luckily, we did not need to kidnap a park ranger and force him to show us around ;). I’m stubborn, it would have been tempting had the park been closed.

Soon after we located the trailhead and walked for a little bit, we arrived at a very large suspension bridge. It was much sturdier than the one in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, but it still had enough sway in it to illicit a reaction from the kiddos. Then we did a quick hike through one of the canyons called Rocky Hallow. My little funions were in awe. I think one of them asked if this is what heaven will look like. I responded in true Field of Dreams fashion saying, “no apparently heaven looks like Iowa, this is just Indiana.” It was a perfect day, but it did have a couple hiccups.

Our hike was cut short by the smallest member of our clan. We reached a steep watery part of the canyon that was quite slippery and too much for a three-year-old to handle. However, our Brave Little Toaster still wanted to keep going, and we would not let him. This caused him to throw a bit of a fit. There is nothing more pitiful than a three-year-old sitting in a shallow stream crying and pounding his hands in the water. As his dad I admired his fighting spirit but part of my job as his parent is to keep him alive, so we stood our ground. One thing is for certain, I’d rather my son be adventurous than timid.

This reminds me of the words of Paul in his second letter to young Timothy: God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. -2 Timothy 1:7

So, let me ask you a question: Have you failed today? Have you tried something beyond your ability and flopped? Have you pushed your limits and allowed yourself to reach the end of your own ability? If not, why not?

Let me make this clear, failure is not the same as sin. We often confuse the two. Sin comes in two forms: Commission and Omission. Commission is about committing acts that are evil and selfish. However, omission is just as bad. This is when you omit to do what is right oftentimes because of fear. Omission is the crying baby of two parents: fear and laziness. Here is how James phrases it: Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. – James 4:17

So, here is the question of the day… how do we teach our children to be brave? Here is the answer: We must encourage them to fail in worthy ways. Let them explore and learn to be adventurous. Don’t guilt them for failing. Guilt is reserved for sin and failure is not a sin, rather it is the best kind of learning experience!

Experience is the best teacher, but if you need a worthy movie to illustrate this point. Plan a family movie night and watch the little known but excellent animated film, Meet the Robinsons. Here is a clip to help kickstart your adventure!

Let the Adventure Begin!

Shawn