Topic of Choice 1: Sickness & Nature

Topic of Choice 1: Sickness & Nature
November 24, 2017

Throughout my life I have always enjoyed spending time in nature. I lived on a farm during my early childhood and spent many weekends with my family hiking in the Smoky Mountains. Hikes and days spent in the outdoors were carefree times for me; whether I was picking out snails from the river and putting them in a bucket, or finding and trying to mend wounded animals, my involvement in nature seemed natural to me.
This perspective shifted in 2015 when I was struck with sudden and constant illness. Hike’s became terrifying to me, going too far into nature seemed dangerous to me; I became crippled with fear. What used to intrigue me and represent happiness to me became tainted and a mark of my defeat. A great rift formed inside of me---my heart longed to immerse myself once again in nature, but my mind told me I better not.
While my sickness did prevent me from going on long hikes or going on huge adventures outdoors, nature still served as a healing balm to me. Nature represented that there was more to life than my sickness, and that life is abundant in Christ. I sat outside journaling in my front yard many nights the summer I was sick and I built ridiculous looking forts in desperation for any source of adventure. I was able to go to the beach with a friend that summer and I was overwhelmed with the beauty and power that surrounded me. I was reminded of the goodness of God and I felt hopeful that I would be healed of my ailments.
I think my feelings and experience with nature in regard to my sickness are shared by so many others as well. The idea that nature is a gift from God is something I am still exploring today. I still struggle with sickness off & on and nature continues to serve as a challenge to me and a resting place for me. It is a life goal of mine, even if I am old and my body riddled with sickness and injuries, to pursue spending time in nature resting & healing from the mental and damage that comes with physical pain.



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