We were skiing, and I was doing my best to “wear out” my six year old grandson. It’s almost impossible to accomplish. Actually, it’s always my plan when I ski. I want to exhaust myself and everyone who skis with me.

I learned to ski at age thirty-five. Like a lot of people in the deep south, I had no idea about snow and while I assumed that sledding would be a blast, I had no idea about skiing. My brother kept telling me that I needed to ski. Finally, to please him we took a trip to Sugar Mountain, NC. It’s not the most ideal skiing conditions, but over a two day period my entire family was hooked.

We love to ski, and our skiing is first up the mountain and last down the mountain.

That’s why this story is so memorable. I was skiing with my daughter Anna and her son Jake. Jake was about age six and on his second ski trip. He picked up our passion to ski as long and hard as possible. The accompanying picture shows him with his feather given by his instructor that “made him go fast.”

At the end of the day, we were riding a shuttle to our apartment. On the way in, I kept saying how tired I was. Anna kept agreeing and Jake kept disagreeing. I don’t think he has ever admitted being tired. On that day, he must have been afraid that if he said he was tired, we might not play board games or let him stay up late.

As we arrived at the condo, he said again, “I’m not tired.” At this point his mother took off her hat and said, “Well, I’m tired. Do I look tired?” Jake paused for a second, looked her in the eye and said, “Your hair looks tired.”

We all get tired. Life gets tough, and, yes, our hair often looks tired. Thankfully, we serve a God who does not tire. He is ever present with us.

I love this psalm:

“I lift up my eyes to the hills–where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip–he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:1-4).

(An expanded version of this story will appear in Martha’s soon to be published devotional book).

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