What started out as a trip I didn't want to go on, ended up being a trip full of blessings and lessons... even though it seemed to me like poor timing in our lives.
You see, all of our children had just started school - the first year that all of them were learning at a school away from home. From new apartments to Cross Country meets; football games to Accapella services, it didn't seem like the mother in me had time to go on a 'work' trip with hubby. Not to mention the changes happening at my own work. Plus, who would take care of our animals?!
I didn't think it was a good time to travel, but God had many other plans.
Right away He was with us on the plane. When Philip and I were not assigned to sit next to each other, a gentleman willingly gave up his seat so we could. This wasn't just any seat - this was the emergency exit seat. You know, the one with all the legroom. Yep, Philip and I got the comfy seats next to each other because of a kind, selfless gentleman, who wasn't lacking in height either. I don't know his name, but I deeply appreciate him.
Over the next 3 days, we went on 5 mountain trails for a total of 17 miles and 6,500 feet in elevation. There were several tears and many moments of me telling Philip I couldn't do it. There was a time when I took a step and my foot just barely missed the tail of a rattlesnake who was slithering off the path. There were areas of the trail that were completely washed out; areas that were so steep I thought it was a cliff, not the trail; areas of slippery rocks and hot, hot sand. I was literally on my hands and feet for a good portion of one descent, crab-walking/scooting down the mountain. My hands were so swollen I couldn't wear my wedding ring and my boots were so small I got hikers' toe.
But there were also amazing views; breathtaking waterfalls; and opportunities for me to trust Philip and for him to love me. We hiked together - something we typically don't do in Wisconsin. We would go on the same trail, but Philip often would go ahead of me. Here there were times when Philip pushed me from behind and boosted me up the switchbacks; times when he visually slowed his pace and let us take the trail at my speed. There were times when he was walking in front to look for danger and times when he showed me how to cross a treacherous spot and then came back and held me as I followed in his steps. There were many, many times to pray and praise God!
We met so many people on the trails - a pilot and his wife hiking during a layover who also have young adult children and encouraged us in our faith and parenting journey; a couple of young men waiting for their friends to come out of a cave they were exploring, who took our picture and helped us find the path we wanted; a couple heading into the years of parenting teens and we promised to pray for them; a family of 3 navigating life as a stay-at-home dad and working mom; a young lady with a passion for helping people; an older couple with 5 kids and 6 grandkids.
One afternoon, after we almost died on a trail, we were walking back to our vehicle and I said to Philip, "Tonight, we do what I wanna do!" After we got back to the hotel room and cleaned up, Philip 'rested his eyes' while I googled for something to do. The thing that kept popping up over and over again was a Nature Preserve. My feet were sore, my muscles ached, and I was tired. It didn't seem logical that I would pick another 'hike' (although this one was flat ground), to walk on a boardwalk through wetlands to see birds that migrated away 5 months prior. Why did I want to go?
But when we climbed the 30-foot-high observatory tower, I saw my answer.
You can't see her in this picture, but on the other side of the pole is a young lady, sitting with her back against the pole, her shoes slipped off, her knees pulled tightly against her chest and her headphones plopped on her ears. As I was taking in the view from the center of the observatory (heights aren't really my thing....) I thought I heard a sniffle.
"Ask her."
"Ask her what?"
"If she's ok"
"What? I'm sure she's fine. Why would I ask her? What am I gonna do? What will she think of me? I don't wanna be a creeper."
"Ask her"
As Philip kept taking photos, I kept arguing with God. Until Philip was ready to leave and God gave me courage. I walked around the pole and asked this young lady, "Are you ok?"
"Trying to be," she hid behind her sunglasses.
"Do you need a hug?"
"What?" as she took an ear out of the headphones.
"Do you need a hug?"
"Yeah," and she stood up and hugged me so tight for so long.
"It's ok. At least it's going to be ok. It always is."
Could I have said more? Was that enough to help her through that night? What was going on? Did she need more than a hug? I spent much of that night praying for her. That was all we said to each other. I felt like it wasn't enough. I should have offered to walk back to the car with her, sat and talked with her for longer, or at least prayed with her. I didn't do enough.
And God reminded me that I'm not the only one in her life. I was just the one there that night who took time - planted a seed maybe - kept her going for one more day until she could meet the next person God puts in her life.
There were so many lessons like this that we learned. When our vacation days were over and we needed to transfer hotels for Philip's work conference, we debated what to do. This is a conference hotel, so they won't have a fridge, microwave, or continental breakfast like the one we chose for our hiking days. It's in the big city, so they won't have free parking. Where am I going to stay while I wait to check into the conference hotel? Where will I park the car until we return it to the rental place? Where will I eat?
"Don't worry about it. I've got something planned for you."
And boy did He ever.
We immediately found free, all-day street parking right across from the conference hotel, so I set up my laptop in the lobby and was able to work remotely. At Philip's 10am break, he came out and asked if our room was ready...it was!! We were able to move all of our luggage into the new hotel room 5 hours earlier than the advertised check-in! I walked into the room and...well, it's way more than a room. There's an entryway, an office space with a desk (for me to work remotely throughout the week), a bedroom, a walk-in closet, and a very spacious bathroom! Do you know what else God threw in there, just because He's awesome like that? An amazing view of the mountains from our balcony.
I am overwhelmed with the goodness of our God!
Or am I? As we stepped into this new life of luxury and socializing with engineers (yes, engineers socialize...) I found myself in more great conversations about parenting and marriage and work, but what did I do? I shied away from talking about the amazing Father I have who blessed me so abundantly during this whole trip. I filtered the comments about the God who helps us parent, holds our marriage together, and keeps us from falling off a cliff. Why couldn't I talk about Him? Why was I afraid of being 'that' person? Shouldn't it be more scary to think that some people don't know how good their lives could be if only they had Him in it?
He's the reason my life is so amazing!
Why don't I want people to know Him and praise Him too?
Lord, forgive me! Please give me more opportunities to shout your praises, not only from the mountain tops, but from the bars as well.
