Mountain Beaches
In our Stories from the Beach series, the beach is a state of mind. For me, it is most often an actual beach, for my dear friend Jackie, the mountains are her happy place. Her place to rest, recharge, see Jesus in her surroundings, find rest for her soul. 2020 has brought it’s share of losses for all of us, Jackie included, and she was excited to finally get away for an extended camping trip. Here is her story.
Asking Big Expecting Bigger
I just read a devotion by Nicole Crank in “Hi God (its me again)” about how we should pray for what we want and what we need…Calling out Hebrews 4:16 “So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” and Ephesians 3:29 “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Don’t just ask, ask big, because we have a big God. So as we headed out for vacation that’s what I did. I prayed for the best campsite, lots of glorious wildlife (at a safe distance of course), the best fly fishing my husband has ever had and lots of rest and restoration. I couldn’t wait to see how it turned out. On the way we had to first go to my dearest friend and second Mom’s ranch in the Colorado mountains for her memorial.
In a Moment
The unthinkable happened the day before the memorial. As we were setting up, the forest started on fire heading straight for her place. We had to evacuate. As we drove off the property I wanted to throw up, feeling like I would never see it in its glory again. There is only one way out so we had to drive past the fire. I called out to our God for protection and I cried. There wasn’t going to be a big memorial. It wasn’t supposed to be like this!
It wasn’t supposed to be like this…
2020 has been one crazy year. I am certain I am not the only one this year who has felt that way. My heart was broken and still is as I write this. And yet God was there. My family and friends are safe and my friends’ place was spared. God provided in a big way as I begged him for protection. All the glory to Him.
Praying Big
No it wasn’t supposed to be like this, not for you and not for me. So what are we supposed to do with that? It is ok to grieve and be disappointed. Call out to God, he can handle it. Reach out to your peeps and let them know you’re hurting or need prayer. Check on them too. 1 Thes 5:11 says “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” I don’t know about you but somehow I feel better when I remember others are also hurting and I can encourage them too. No it wasn’t supposed to be like this, but our powerful God is still in charge.
The Story Continues
Jackie sent me her story early last week. In the seven days since then, the fires in Colorado have continued to rage along with dozens of devastating fires throughout the western states. The ranch Jackie loves is still at risk, that threat became more real again last night as the winds shifted. And still we pray. And we pray big. Jesus come… Calm the storms, protect the lives, heal the land.
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