A few days ago I mentioned that Sue and I were planning to go to Sarasota on March 25th for a 2 week vacation. Well, we would have been be flying home this Sunday. I’m sure our story is not unique. I imagine that many of you have had to cancel or postpone weekend trips to the cabin or longer vacations of a lifetime. I suggest that we should look back and relive the memories of past trips.
Sue and I have made many great memories from trips when the kids were young, weeklong trips to Florida, and our joy filled trips to Niagara Falls. We have loved going to the Canadian side of the falls and sitting in awe, watching the power of this God-made spectacle. We always looked forward to opportunities to get away from the chaotic world that we all live in and to be able to spend time with each other.
I think part of the joy for Sue was for the 2 of us to be somewhere all alone. There are few local trips to the store, restaurant, or movies where I don’t run into someone that I know…or that someone doesn’t recognize me and start a conversation, (even though I can’t always place their name.) It is a blessing for a pastor to have impacted so many people for the Lord…but it can make it hard for us to have some alone time as husband and wife.
I am writing this article because someone asked me this morning “if there was a story to share from one of our trips?” Yes! Lot’s of great ones, but one kind of funny one came to mind.
We went to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, had a room with a great view, the 2 of us were all alone in the beauty of God’s creation. We walked out of the hotel to find a place to eat when I hear….HEY! PASTOR TIMM! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?
Needless to say. My wife laughed out loud and said “really…even hundreds of miles from home”. It turned out that this person was a now grown up confirmand that I had in class years before. She was on her honeymoon. Well, we talked for a while and then Sue and I managed to salvage the trip and have plenty of alone time. I treasure the times that we have been blessed to go places together….and to experience the beauty of God’s creation.
So, what I want you to do is to call someone today. Instead of complaining about the current situation, ask them if they have any vacation stories to share. Be ready to share your own story with them.
Also, take time to thank the Lord for all of His glorious creation and the countless blessings you have had with past trips, vacations and weekend getaways.
Find awe in your Loving Lord and His incredible creation!
Psalm 19: 1…The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of His hands
John 1:3…Through Him all things were made, without Him nothing that was made has been made.
Psalm 93:3-4…The seas have lifted up, Lord,the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea— the Lord on high is mighty.
Romans 1:20…For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
Isaiah 40:26…Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens:Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.
Psalm 139:14…I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
Colossians 1:16…For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
So…in spite of this coronavirus world we live in…. take a walk today (using social distancing guidelines) and marvel at the sunrise and sunset, birds in flight, flowers budding, and all of God’s creation.
Look back with joy at past vacations and forward with anticipation for upcoming opportunities once this corona “stay in place” order will be removed.
Take time to thank and worship your Lord who is the creator of all that is good.
I will write another of these devotions on Monday. In the meantime:
- Go to royred.org this Palm Sunday weekend and worship with us.
- Note that Pastor Harris will be leading 2 online Maundy Thursday worship services starting at noon on Thursday (a traditional and a contemporary) ….as well as I will be leading 2 online Good Friday services starting at noon on Friday (a traditional and a contemporary)
- And then plan to worship with us on Easter weekend!!!! Invite family and friends to tune in as well!
- Call me if I can help 440-237-7958 ext.118
- Reach out to check in and support your family, neighbor and friends!!!!