My husband, our 3 sons (15, 12 and almost 8) and I spent 12 days on a 4000km road trip from #Edmonton to #Vancouver and then onto #Prince Rupert and back. We camped in the back of our pickup truck, with the treat of some hotel nights in between. Prince Rupert has always been on our bucket list and we all knew this would be another one of our ‘adventures of a lifetime’. Boy were we right! It was super fun but definitely a tough and testing experience at the same time!
Those 12 days were a mix of emotions. We witnessed some of the most beautiful, unforgettable scenery Canada has to offer. My husband and I also experienced sleeping in a truck box with a leaky canopy and waiting for daybreak so we could finally find a hotel to get some sleep! Then when we thought it would be a great idea to show the kids a big city like Vancouver and stay downtown, our truck was broken into, and our air mattresses and brand new portable fireplace from #MEC was stolen…whoever stole it must have needed it more than we did!
Not willing to let this stop our camping efforts, we managed to purchase a new mattress and move on. We passed on a portable fireplace since Alberta and BC both had fire bans anyway. With our sleeping quarters in the truck rigged up and waterproofed as best as we could, we continued camping (and hoteling from time to time).
Despite some setbacks, we all had a fantastic time! Every day was filled with lots of adventure; walking, shopping, camping, new surroundings, beautiful nature and with my husband and 3 sons, there were constant jokes and laughter! Since my sons are much older now, having so many ‘hands on deck’ sure made this camping trip much easier. My husband and kids were so great at setting up camp and organizing things that we were quickly operating like a proper outfit!
Even so, traveling is rough, and camping on and off for 12 days, more so! Each day brought its own challenges: what will we do, what will we eat? Driving, exploring, sightseeing, walking, hiking, swimming, setting up camp, cooking, washing, preparing beds, and snacks (repeat!) takes a lot out of you. We forget how easy urban living is!
At last, we found ourselves in #PrinceRupert, B.C., as far west in Canada that we could possibly go (without taking a ferry to Haida Gwaii, which we did try but was full unfortunately)! A small city with BIG charm, I must say that Prince Rupert is absolutely stunning. We all agreed that Prince Rupert was our favorite part of the trip. We were surrounded by misty mountains and the smell of the salty, fresh ocean. When you look up at the sky and see giant birds flying around, you’ll be amazed to find out they are bald eagles! They are everywhere! So amazing, right?! We’ve driven from the Yukon to Mexico and from BC to Quebec and I must say that Prince Rupert is one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen. You could spend half the day at the bay just watching the fishermen bring in their catch of crab and fish, and then watch the seals that come and wait expectantly for all the unwanted bits. And the hiking trails are just gobsmackingly beautiful. We made the most of our time there and did as much as we could but it goes without saying that we were tired!
My husband and I woke up one early morning near the end of our trip. The kids were sound asleep and it was quiet all around. Still trying to recuperate from the previous day’s 2.5 hr long (but amazing) hike, I slumped into my camping chair, slightly damp (because it kind of always is in Prince Rupert, did I mention it’s known as the rainiest city in Canada?). I began to miss the comforts of home: my bed, my blanket, my pillows…my toilet 🙁
Sensing I was feeling a bit low and sorry for myself, my dear husband leaned over and commented, “you know, this is how Jesus and the disciples must have lived…” Obviously the circumstances weren’t identical, but the lifestyle was the same: traveling across Israel all day by foot, sleeping wherever, eating whatever, constantly on the move. When you’re battling the heat during the day and the elements at night, there is a sense of being in survival mode. Each man also packed light and lived modestly. Their existence was tough and isolated. Just like we enjoyed the comfort of a hotel, every once in a while, I imagine Jesus and the disciples must have enjoyed the hospitality of a stranger in town who offered them a hot home cooked meal and a comfortable place to sleep, recuperate, and have a nice bath.
I sat there and thought to myself, “how could a group of men live like this day in and day out?” I was camping like this for just 12 days and I found comfort in knowing this is temporary and that I would be returning home eventually. But to actually live like Jesus, his disciples, and even the first century Church did, indefinitely, seemed daunting!
And then my husband reminded me what Paul said:
1 Corinthians 9:10 “Don’t we [Paul & Barnabas] have the right to bring a believing wife with us as the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers do, and as Peter does?”
Not only did a group of men live as Jesus did, but so did their wives! This means that each disciple (except for Paul and Barnabas) took along a wife who shared in their husband’s struggles, who lived and ate and weathered the elements and the challenges of the day alongside her man. We also know that there were even single women and widows who followed Jesus, and ministered to his needs. The women in the Bible were certainly ready to serve God as and when needed!
Luke 23:49 – Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.
Mark 15:40-41 – Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.
Luke 8:1-3 – After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.
Matthew 27:55-56 – Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.
John 19:25-27 – 5 Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” 27 and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.
Acts 1:13-14 – When they arrived, they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying. Here are the names of those who were present: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the zealot), and Judas (son of James). 14They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.
And this is how every virtuous woman is called to live, even today. Whether you decide to never marry and remain single, you must serve the Lord and be prepared to do the difficult things God asks. And if you choose to marry, we are called to serve our husbands as we would serve the Lord. So serve Him through being an obedient and submissive wife.
Ephesians 5:22-24 – Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
1 Peter 3:5-6 says: For this is how the holy women of the past adorned themselves. They put their hope in God and were submissive to their husbands, 6just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. And you are her children if you do what is right and refuse to give way to fear.
Just as Jesus called every man to give up all and follow him (Luke 14:33 – So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.), each wife is also called to live a life of servitude and follow her husband, serving him as she does the Lord (Eph 5:22). Being a Godly wife is a struggle but not one to be afraid of when you put your hope in God. Just like you would do in order to serve Jesus, you’ll have to give up a lot of your own ‘comforts’, beliefs and ideals in order to serve your husband for the glory of God.
I know this is a long post, but what I am trying to say is this: may we never get too proud, comfortable, set in our ways and/or afraid of a little struggle to serve God. If God is asking you to submit to your husband, maybe live a little rough and tough, or do things you aren’t accustomed to and give up some comforts for the sake of the kingdom of heaven, know that you are in good company! The women in the Bible were rooted in faith, knowing that God will equip them just as well as He can equip their husbands to serve Him.
Our mission as followers of Jesus is to do as Christ commanded, and that is for anyone who wants to be his follower to give up all and preach the gospel. God will add unto us everything that we need. His eye is on the sparrow, so what more me?
Matthew 6:26 – Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Matthew 10:29-31 – Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Perhaps my future may have more tough traveling and living in store as God continues to use us to speak His word. This camping trip was a kind of glimpse into what may lie ahead. My desire is to live a life that is pleasing to God and since He has put me in the position of a wife, I pray that the Lord will give me the strength to be a strong, supportive and virtuous Godly wife. I already know that if God could strengthen the women in the Bible who served their husbands with such fortitude, He can do it for me (and you) too! Amen!
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