By JoyAnn Dahl

If you have ever watched a pole vaulting event, you might be shocked to learn that the participant runs on the average 60 feet with a 12 foot pole in an attempt to launch (or hurl) themselves as high as they can over a bar and landing (falling) safely in a mat on the opposite side. Recently my youngest son, Cristian, after several years of dreaming and working on refining his vaulting skills, was able to set a new Thief River Falls, Minnesota, High School record for track and field in the event of pole vaulting. The last Thief River Falls school record was set in 1996, approximately 21 years ago by another young man attempting to reach the same altitude. We were all clearly ecstatic to see him complete this challenge of vaulting almost 13 feet successfully! This was definitely a highlight in his school career, and a high point, quite literally and figuratively! However, a few days after he set the school record, he had an incident that occurred when his brand new pole snapped in half as he was vaulting mid-air during a competition. The fiberglass pole break resulted in a deep laceration across his hand with 12 stitches from the outside of his hand to the inner palm, with one stitch in his elbow for good measure. After a quick and frantic trip to the ER, we were very thankful he wasn’t leaving with more severe injuries. A few days later, with a hand wrap, pain meds, and determination, Cristian agreed to assist with the pole vaulting competition at a middle school track and field meet, as a vaulting referee. The accident clearly was a low point in his vaulting days, however, he is hoping for complete healing in his hand and many more days of clear sailing to come! This example reminds me of the truth that no matter if we are in the highs or the lows of life, God is there with us, watching, providing, healing, protecting, and giving us daily encouragement to continue on. Psalm 46:11 says, “The Lord Almighty is with us, the God of Jacob is our fortress.“ This verse is true for all of us, even in the highest highs and the lowest lows, not just those who pole vault in life! God is with us each day, helping us reach the highest bars in life and landing safely on the other side.