My activity after the NF Men’s retreat was not what I had hoped. I had no back pain the entire summer and was able to run and hike freely, I also got to go rock climbing 5-6 times off campus on days off. BUT once our Father & Son program ended, my back started acting up. Granted, jumping into varsity girls soccer tryouts and practices after an exhausting summer didn’t help. I went home for a few days to help with my daughter’s high school team, and as I returned back to camp for the NF Men’s Retreat, my back had had enough. After 3 plus months of prepping and running camp, the Lord got my attention. Leaving camp in a bouncy van was extremely painful; it took me over 30 mins just to drive the road. Perhaps my slowest time ever!

When my back starts to act up, I know I need to lie on my back and be still. Lying horizontal to release back tension was necessary. Oddly enough, I also needed my head up, looking to the heavens. Psalm 121:1 came to mind: “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” While I was forced to rest, I needed to delegate tasks to others and seek God for strength and my daily bread.

I realized once again that I cannot do it on my own. Besides needing to take better care of myself, I was also reminded of my utter dependence on God. As much as running NF requires making decisions and solving problems, I have learned, most often the hard way, that sometimes God requires me to wait and rest in what He’s doing. Recalibrating with God is vital each and every day, so find that group of men, dive into His Word, and seek Him and His timing in all you do.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:13