There is a national park with his name on it.

He owned ranch land near the park.

He went there often in his early adult life.

He said the place “took the snob out of him.”

The place is Theodore Roosevelt National Park.

Yes, the president is Teddy Roosevelt.

Is it possible that a wild place can take the “snob” out of a person?

How does that work?

Just how could a wild place known as the Badlands change the “I’m superior” attitude of a young man?

First, see for yourself…(click on the cloud photo-then scroll through.)

Have you come to an answer yet?

Roosevelt lost his wife and mother on the same day. Valentine’s Day 1883 was the day Roosevelt said, “the light went from my eyes.”

He went to the Badlands of North Dakota to heal.

Not only did Roosevelt have his “snob” attitude adjusted, his grieving heart was healed.

But Roosevelt was in the Badlands 139 years ago. Does this land of extremes still heal the human heart? Does this vast land of beauty still ground a human being with the truth?

Yes.

What might happen to those who go to wild places such as Theodore Roosevelt National Park?

Try these:

The silence is powerful-silence causes us to feel small. That’s a good thing. Our egos are easily puffed.

The distant horizon is far-vastness causes us to feel small. That’s a good thing. A vast land makes us think. We think more clearly when we feel small.

There is wildness in every direction-unspoiled views are beautiful. Beauty refreshes and restores our hearts. Beauty reminds us of what is truly important.

There is one other important consideration: God as Creator. Vast, beautiful places such as the North Dakota Badlands shout of a Creator. In the book of Romans, Paul precisely explained this with these words:

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

Romans 1:20

Does time outside in a wild place have a positive impact on the human heart? Can we find the truth there?