A Warm Bath

Journal 2006 06 29
A Warm Bath

“both the men and indians amused themselves with the use of a bath this evening. I observed that the indians after remaining in the hot bath as long as they could bear it ran and plunged themselves into the creek the water of which is now as cold as ice can make it; after remaining here a few minutes they returned again to the warm bath, repeating this transision several times but always ending with the warm bath.” Captain Lewis’ Journal

After about twenty miles today, passing their September 13th camp and other familiar landmarks, the men stopped at a favorite spot of their hosts and guides – hot springs!

How much of a hardship would it be for us to miss out on our daily hot shower or bath? I can only estimate the amount of whining and complaining at my house if the shower or hot water were unavailable for a day, let alone months. And honestly, I’d be complaining just as much as all the females would be.

Captain Lewis also records that he realizes that two horses under his responsibility were left behind. He sends Joseph Fields and John Colter back to retrieve them. They do. They also bring dinner. A deer they took along the way. The Corps was out of oil and were facing a meal of roots without salt or oil. All were grateful for their daily provision and the ever increasing hunting skills of future mountain man John Colter.

The message on my heart and mind today is a simple one. Do we delight in the work of those who have gone before us? Do we understand the fruit of civilized life we enjoy today is because of the constant march forward by men less coddled than us? Do we understand our place in the forward march of history? If so, can we move to the edge of comfort to advance something beyond the limits of human revelation and knowledge? Can we trust that God has the wisdom to place us in this time and place to have the same desire to discover and obtain the unknown? Would we live any differently if we did?

So, enjoy the shower, don’t make it the highlight of our day. Let’s be grateful for the men who had the foresight to build the infrastructures that delivers the water from the mountains to the reservoirs and pipes that flows cleanly out of the faucet mindlessly whenever we turn the handle. I’m choosing to set my mind to be more grateful.

Today, the object lesson will be a tough one for those of you who have saunas, hot tubs or steam baths. Soak in the healing heat, hit the cold water and know that you are like men of history in the invigorating restoration of fire and ice to revive your heart and soul as it touches your flesh.

Proceed on.