The airplane ticket had been purchased during the long weeks of silence and wondering. I knew that I would need to escape the walls that closed in around me every weekend. A full week of Spring Break would either provide rest or more turmoil. I wondered, though, if distance, a change of environment, and time spent with my best friend could really grant me the peace I sought from the thoughts that assailed me.
As the break approached, the pieces of my life tumbled chaotically like clothes in a dryer. One minute everything was flying across the top of my world. The next second they had all come crashing down to the bottom, only to flip through the cycle one more time.
At everyone's urging, I boarded the plane on the Monday morning of Spring Break and headed to California. There the Lord ministered to me with His comfort, peace, joy, friendship, and wisdom. The reigns of overseeing the household issues were in Hubby's hands–where they belonged all along and I was at peace in the letting go (almost all of the time there).
The first morning I awoke at my friend's house in California, the Lord gave me this Scripture that so aptly described my condition and the new hope He had given me.
I had planned a week's getaway to a friend's mountain cabin. Just a pile of books, hikes in the woods, and time spent in friendship. The Lord had other plans. Just before I arrived, a snowstorm moved in making the roads impassable unless one had chains or a 4-wheel-drive vehicle. That wasn't on my rental contract.
So my friend and I took each day as the Lord ordered it. Days filled with stone-gathering memories–the kind the Israelites used to mark God's Presence on their behalf. Hiking through tree-shaded park trails; decorating tables with my cousin for her granddaughter's cheerleaders' banquet; watching squirrels scamper through my friend's backyard; dinner and breakfast with two other friends, God-painted moments captured on camera; a funny movie shared with friends; and a day in the snow–the retreat I longed for.
The commemorative altar came on Wednesday as youngest enlisted in the Navy. Although it had been the initial fear that started the anxiety back last fall, the Lord has shown me since then that this will be an important step in his development as a young man. While I gathered with my cousins, joyfully adding sparkle to the tables for the evening banquet, texts from Hubby came flying through giving us moment by moment account of the enlistment details as youngest sent word to Hubby. I was filled with joy and tears to see how God arranged that moment to occur while I was with my cousins and my closest friend. His timing and His ways are truly perfect.
Oh, there were hours of anxiety that threatened to destroy my joy, but God allowed them to only last for a short while. The Lord had the victory and I returned refreshed.
Thank you all for your prayers. Tomorrow, I'll continue with my Joy List.
This entry was posted in Christian Inspiration, Creation, Encouragement, Friendship, On In and Around on Mondays, Playdates with God by Janis Van Keuren. Bookmark the permalink.
I'm so glad you took this opportunity to get away during spring break! It sounds like it was just what you needed too. I love the photos and the fun with cousins. One of these days you might venture up to Phoenix for a bloggy get together.
Our time was truly memorable and you wrote about it so beautifully. The pictures truly give a true description of the highlights of that time. Thank-you for coming my friend. I love you!!!
Oh, my friend. I'm so grateful for the friends who ministered to you during this little respite. It looks like such a lovely time. I have kept you in my prayers. I'm glad to hear the Lord is renewing your spirit in all this. Much love.
What wonderful pix you have to remember this special time! So glad you had this opportunity to renew and refresh.
Our son and our daughter both enlisted in the Air Force right out of high school. It was truly the best thing for them. It allowed them to have freedom within parameters and taught them that home wasn't so bad after all. 🙂 Praying for your youngest.
What a blessing you were able to go and experience His promptings and comfort. Beautiful touch your friend put the flowers in her guest room for you.
So glad you had a great retreat in such beautiful and peaceful surroundings. My hubby is seeking a spiritual retreat for a few days as I type. I pray that his time is as fruitful as yours was. Thanks for giving us the highlights, Janis!
What a beautiful post full of pictures and inspiration from your real life situation. Thank you for your encouraging words and a reminder that God is in control and His ways are better than our ways.
So glad you were able to rest and recharge.
Praying you have a beautiful, grace filled week.
A joy to read your post and look at your wonderful pictures. Our Lord is Good and He Does Know Best, why do we sometimes doubt that or get in the way of what He is doing.
OH, what a wonderful time to get away. I'm glad God ministered to your soul. I live in Southern California and we had a huge rain today again and they said the mountains will be full of snow again!