Sep 20, 2010

 Planned my day up at Pinecrest today. My extended time away with God. Woke up and the sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky. I headed out looking forward to the mountain smells, pine trees, a beautiful lake, rocks, just the beauty of God's creation. As I approached Oakdale, I spied dark skies in the foothills, drizzle on my windshield. Oh, no, I thought. My day is going to be rained down on. I drove on a little defeated. No sun, no beautiful blue sky, no glistening lake surface to surround me while I enjoy time with my creator. As I drove, I thought about how this represented life. We're going along, doing our thing, making goals, and walking our path and BAM, something unexpected comes along. This is not what I anticipated God. Everything was going along just fine. Yet, there it stands directly in our path, no way around it. I knew as I drove into the fog that God would still be up at Pinecrest when I got there and although the day may not go according to my plan it would still be me having an encounter with my God. Maybe God wanted to meet me in the rain. Maybe it was another message for me as I face some uncertainty. "I am with you through it all, the good and the bad, the difficult and the easy. I don't run from the hard things. I will shelter you from the rain." And that He did. I journeyed on and wouldn't you know it? The rain dissipated and the fog cleared and I am sitting on a massive rock that is being gently massaged by glistening water under a beautifully blue sunny sky on the other side of the storm.

Thank You Father for this beautiful picture of Your grace, mercy and faithfulness to me. You are so good. Your mercies are ever new and Your love extends to every corner of my being. You care about the small things in addition to the big ones. You knew I would have a harder time up here today with bad weather and You gave me the desires of my heart. I praise Your Holy name.

Psalm 121
I lift my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? Hy help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip- He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord watches over you- the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm-He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over you coming and going both now and forevermore.