It has been a crazy summer. We have logged over 7000 miles on the road. I think we have been in or traveled through 18 states. We have dug dinosaur bones along side our grandkids, spent time near the nation’s capital to be part of a daughter’s wedding and now are in Texas working on renovations to our son’s house.
During the last two months we have seen and experienced God’s creation in so many ways. Morning sunrises while sitting in front of our tent on the high plains of Wyoming. Or waking during the chilly nights there only to view so many stars above us, you would not believe the sky could contain them all. Driving across flooded river plains and seeing the power of swollen rivers. And driving through thunderstorms, lightening flashing over a sea of green prairie grasses. Texas ‘big skies’ and southern heat so intense you sweat just sitting sipping on a bottle of water. We are blessed living in a country so big and filled with the wonders of God. And I have been blessed to spend a few months this summer absorbing it all.
It has not all been joyful. Many hours of tedious driving, sometimes with sullen or grumpy grandkids in the backseat. Cold nights in a tent, no matter how deep I buried myself in my sleeping bag, I was still freezing. Nights in motels. And lately the terrible, our son falling off a ladder and breaking three bones in his foot while we were working on his house. Even with these trials mixed in we have had a glorious summer, so far. So, what is my point?
I guess, to me it is times like these that allow me to see the working of God’s plan in my life. But not just mine. No, as I was driving through the flooded plains along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, l was reminded that we are living in troubled times, where natural disasters are becoming so common place there is no way to keep up with it all. Ask those who just survived the two major earthquakes in Southern California. But Jesus did warn us, and we must be aware that in the end days these things would come: “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door.” (Matthew 24: 32-33) And as I drove, I prayed for those affected by these terrible times but also saw that we have no time to waste, Jesus is coming soon, and we all need to be about the Father’s business.
Yet, even as these terrible events take place, there is still so much hope. As we were driving through the high plains grasslands, I thought how even in this world where misery has become so common place, that we have a promise of a place that would be more peaceful and magnificent then the miles of whispering grass, with so many shades of green: “Therefore, “they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. ‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'” (Revelation 7: 15-17) Can you imagine it? The beauty of this earth cannot compare, but for now I am blessed to know there is still so much beauty to be seen.
And then there are the myriads of people we have seen and some of them we have even met in our travels. The diversity! We were in a Walmart in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska. It is an area heavily populated with Native Americans. And the folks wandering around the store showed that is so. But as I looked closer, I saw such a variety of people! Here in this little town in the center of our country. I imagined every race was in that place and I thought, “How cool is this!” Again, reminding me of what heaven will be like and what our world should be today. A place where all people, God’s children can exist together: “From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.” (Acts 17:26) It is still God’s world and you know what, it is still a beautiful place.
Soon we return home and believe me that will be good. I miss our home and I especially miss our church and church family. And there is so much to be done! No, I am not talking about mowing the lawn and cleaning house. Those things do need attending to. But RuthAnn and I have been refreshed and blessed this summer and we have been recharged and ready to do God’s work. I pray you are ready too!
Blessings
John
7/10/19
Thanks again for sharing your insights of this beautiful land, and even more the reminder of the return of Christ. I look forward to that with joy and anticipation, but in the interim, there is still much work to be done. 🙂
Much to be done! Yes and everyday we are blessed to do His will!