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Alone in the Woods
Journal Activity - March 2, 2025

I good friend of mine shared this story with me many years ago. As I was cleaning out my email inbox the other day I came across it and was reminded what a powerful image this story paints. It will be the inspiration of this week’s journal activity.
The early American Indians had a unique practice of training young braves. On the night of a boy’s 13th birthday, after learning hunting, scouting, and fishing skills, he was put to one final test. He was placed in a dense forest to spend the entire night alone. Until then, he had never been away from the security of the family and the tribe.
But on this night, he was blindfolded and taken several miles away. When he took off the blindfold, he was in the middle of a thick woods and he was terrified! Every time a twig snapped, he visualized a wild animal ready to pounce.
After what seemed like an eternity, dawn broke and the first rays of sunlight entered the interior of the forest. Looking around, the boy saw flowers, trees, and the outline of the path. Then, to his utter astonishment, he beheld the figure of a man standing just a few feet away, armed with a bow and arrow. It was his father. He had been there all night long.
JOURNAL ACTIVITY
Who is the person in your life that is like the boy’s father in the story above? They don’t get in the way, they let you go through things, but they are always there to support you.
Write that person a thank you letter this week and drop it in the mail. If you don’t have an address, send them an email with a picture of the letter you wrote.