One day One step

We buried our 3rd child monday.

I don’t dwell on that incomprehensible thought too long. I think it’s too much for my brain to handle. What I do dwell on is Gods amazing love. He continues to pour out unfathomable blessings on us.

The service was small, just for family. Between the sun shining and family surrounding us we were wrapped in an incredible love. Geoff led the service and left me amazed at what a wonderful and strong man God has made him to be. He shared a story that has been a part of our lives since before our lives became one. It is also a story that had been on my mind to share here for quite some time.

The summer of 96’ my parents became aware that I was smitten with a certain young man from school. So they did the only logical thing possible, they invited him to drive 1627 miles with our family to a family reunion! I’m still in shock that he went and then too that he married me.
While we were there we were told of a great hike and place to watch the sunset. We thought it would be the perfect end to a long day, so we took off. Had any thought of concern for our safety come to mind it would have quickly been replaced by the fact that Geoff is an Eagle Scout. Our hike to the top of the mountain was just in time to see the sun set. While we sat and enjoyed the last few minutes of the grand scene, darkness began to dawn, not just around the forest but on us as well. My Eagle Scout had not come prepared. Not a flashlight or match between us. The darkness was so intense you could no longer see your own hand in front of your face, let alone the trail that would lead us home. The moon was buried under pillows of clouds and not about to come out from under the covers. Panic fought with reason for a few priceless moments in my head. After an earnest prayer Geoff turned to me and explained that he was going to leave me for a few moments. He thought he had remembered seeing a trail marker on the trees on the way up. If his suspicions were right the markers would lead us home. He was only walking away from me a few feet but because of the fact that we were in complete darkness in a strange land, fear began to strangle me. In order to calm me and help him find his way back to me, he had me sing to him. Those of you that know my singing know that this was not a pleasant experience for anyone involved. When he had felt his way around several trees and located a plastic marker he would then sing to me so that I could come to him. This is the way we worked our way down the mountain. Sometimes a glimmer of light would peek through just enough that we could see our feet were off the path and as soon as we would find our way back to the trail that light would disappear again. What took us half an hour to climb, took us an hour and a half to retrace.

When we made it back to the car and relief slid from our shoulders, reality began to sink in. God had been showing us Himself on that mountain. 13 years later He is still showing himself to us in the same way. In that forest we could not take a single step without relying on Him for the light and guidance. He did not move the clouds for the moon to light our path, so we could run down the mountain. He gave us just enough light for the next step and often we had to take that step in complete faith not knowing if it would be the one that would send us falling to the ground. Throughout our life God has been there every step of the way and we have seen Him here again lighting the way for the next step, nothing more. We lean wholeheartedly on Him for that next step.