Apply Park Etiquette to Life (Rules One and Two)

 While my family and I vacationed in Yellowstone National Park, we created a list of helpful rules to follow for our new surroundings. We encountered many differences in New Mexico, Montana and Wyoming than in Texas. There were many species of large wild animals, geysers with boiling waters and tons of strangers speaking different languages. We can apply these rules to our lives as Christians, as well.

Rule Number One

Don’t stop in the middle of the road and get out of your car to take a picture of wildlife. 

This causes a major traffic jam. Cars stack up a quarter mile behind you. This is happening with the on coming lanes as well. Some really impatient people will try to pass on the left causing a situation where we have two lanes of traffic head-on with two lanes of traffic. The only solution is to wait for the Forrest Ranger to untangle the mess by directing traffic. 

Application: What you do affects others. In this case, two selfish people caused a 30-45 minute headache for over 200 people. How can your actions, personality and words affect other’s mood, thoughts and actions?  

Scripture: Romans 14:13 Make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. 

Rule Number Two

Don’t feed or get close to the wildlife. (All animal photos taken from inside my vehicle.) 

They are called wild for a reason. We saw a shirt in a store that read: When hiking in Yellowstone take someone with you that you can outrun. One day in Yellowstone, a lady learned this lesson the hard way. My son heard a walkie talkie conversation about a women who got too close to a bison while daring to take a selfie with the animal. The bison got agitated and tackled her from behind as everyone else ran away. The news reported she had minor injuries. 

Application: Don’t be tempted to get too close to danger. Don't think you can walk that fine line and not get sucked into the harm. Sometimes you can’t run fast enough and peer pressure is so hard to reject. Put up guardrails before situations arise. Know what you will do before you have to make a snap decision  Decide how you are going to react to that difficult person before you see them.  

Scripture: Mark 14:38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. Watching and praying lets me know we need to prepare before temptation occurs. Use Scripture as your weapons!