Along the journey...

We just returned today from a much needed time away. Our time away has refocused and renewed each of us, as well as reminded us of who we are and who God is. Our vacation took us through seven states and reunited us with many friends and family members. We were able to visit Wonderworks in TN, the Creation Museum in KY, the Pratt family in P, Mark's parents in Troy, Pa (as well as the Troy Fair) and were blessed to spend special time with many treasured friends in the Corning area. We worshipped and learned together at Victory's FamJam. We spent an afternoon in the ER after Lizzie fell off a zipline at her cousins' house.

In spite of all the busyness, God met with us and showed us his faithfulness while renewing our strength. Mark and I were able to escape for a day when we kayaked down through Corning/Big Flats. It was a perfect day to share together, sunshine after rain. We rowed, we floated, we contemplated, we talked, we observed, we reflected. Mark shared how our journey this last year has been so much like our kayak trip...full of unexpected turns, rocks, wildlife, rapids, and still, quiet, moments. The river moves along whether we submit to its direction or not. The journey was so much more enjoyable as we listened, observed, and surrendered to the way of the river. How often I have 'fought' the current of the Spirit and missed the beauty along the way. I wanted to see/do what I thought I needed and often missed what beautiful things HE had planned. John Eldredge (Walking with God) tells of a hike he had planned in order to hunt elk. He was so intent on finding the elk, that he missed the other 'blessings' in his hike: the sounds of the stream, the rainbow trout, the perfect sunset, the time with his family. He was so focused on HIS goal, that he missed the miracles/blessings happening all along the way.

What am I so focused on? What am I missing? What is God trying to show me? How can I listen and observe better?