When We Step Outside, We Breathe Again

There’s a different kind of connection that happens outdoors. At home, life is full of distractions — work, chores, notifications buzzing. But out in nature, we’re just together.

I’ve seen it happen time and time again. Sitting by a campfire, my boys ask the best questions — deep ones, funny ones, ones that wouldn’t come up at the dinner table.

On hikes, we push through tough climbs together, encouraging each other when we’re tired. Even a simple walk in the forest turns into an adventure when we’re spotting birds, climbing over logs, or pretending we’re explorers.

These moments matter.

They build trust.

They remind my kids that I’m not just here to tell them what to do — I’m here to experience life alongside them.

They also teach important lessons. A cold night in a tent shows them resilience. A long hike teaches perseverance. A sudden storm reminds them that, just like in life, things don’t always go as planned, but we keep going.

As parents, we’re called to lead by example. And one of the best ways to do that is simply to be present. To take our kids by the hand and step outside into the world God made.

Spending time in nature has always been a deep part of our family’s rhythm, and it’s something I share more about in my book, Raising Outdoor Christian Kids — how these moments in God’s creation shape not just our children, but us as parents too.