Heavy eyelids open to the early morning light. My body is asleep but my mind and soul are awake. For the first time in days, I might have an hour or two alone. Since leaving for vacation in this old RV, I’ve only found solitude in a bathroom the size of myself.
It’s worth it. Our longest trip ever in this almost thirty year old RV to venture to my family’s old vacation spot and to take my parents back there. We want to introduce my kids to the places I walked as a kid.
Vacations are not always vacations for moms though. Work may be increased when you camp and just a couple of hours of pure solitude in God’s beauty (what I long for most on vacation) might be impossible. Impossible if you don’t work for it.
So I snap the little alarm clock button down and plug in the coffee pot. My girl is still snuggled deep down under warm blankets in the cool of the morning and there she will stay for a few more hours. Lord willing, we will both get what we crave most. I ask my husband, tucked away in the loft above the cab, if he minds. He mumbles a no. I take his answer and run with it…even though I am not sure he is fully aware of what he’s giving up. A beautiful sunrise on the north shore of Minnesota.
I walk on the lake trail through flowering bushes, excited to meet the sunrise and my Lord. Just like in my younger years, I find a rock perfectly indented for me to recline in. I sip coffee and I wait for the first gleam of flourescent orange to peak over the Lake Superior. A rare moment on a Sunday morning for this pastor’s wife. How can I find what I need this Sunday morning on Lake Superior? What DO I need to keep going these next few days…weeks and months? What’s the one thing? The one thing that will soothe, comfort, prepare and strengthen me for the future? I toss these questions and thoughts to God.
There are a few people scattered across cobblestones waking to this morning light too. People who camped out on the shore braving the cool lake air and hard rocks just to experience beauty. I’m joined here with them. We’re all waiting for God’s splendor. We wait and I wonder if they are asking questions too. Maybe they also are looking to be strengthened as they look to return to normal everyday life.
I pick up a smooth round stone to throw into the abyss of Lake Superior. The largest freshwater lake, by surface area, in the world. I wonder if the others are watching me from behind and if they think, like me, in this humble moment, that my questions are like this little pebble being thrown in such a vast expanse of water. Skipping stones and throwing rocks was a constant activity just twelve hours ago with my boy but now…now I feel odd doing it alone. Like I’m throwing my questions right out to God in front of these spectators on the beach. I hold back from throwing it.
I decide to read a Psalm and I happen upon Psalm 93.
The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty;
the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt.
Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.
Your throne is established from of old;
you are from everlasting.
The floods have lifted up, O Lord,
the floods have lifted up their voice;
the floods lift up their roaring.
Mightier than the thunders of many waters,
mightier than the waves of the sea,
the Lord on high is mighty!
Your decrees are very trustworthy;
holiness befits your house,
O Lord, forevermore.
I sit into my rock chair, one smooth round stone jutting into that spot on my shoulder blade that always wants help. For a moment there is comfort and the strength of the rock encloses me. I watch and listen to the waves crash onto the beach. The waves that have been so mighty and relentless over time. I’ve seen evidence of it. The lighthouse built in response to shipwrecks and deaths due to their strength crashing on rocky shoreline. The relentless waves that long to knock us over as we search for the perfect stones to keep in our pockets. The cobblestones weathered and polished to smooth roundness. The soft driftwood aged to perfection in the churning waters. The rocks the kids sat on yesterday in order to be splashed by the force of water hitting them. The unending soothing roar I hear from my campsight. The Lord created this and the Lord is mightier.
God’s good power.
This one thing gives me comfort and I feel strengthened. Is it enough for the long haul though? The Lord is majestic, mighty, holy and sovereign. Will this sustain me through the changes and challenges ahead?
I see the first glint of powerful glow of the sun coming. Clouds filling up with a shade of orange.
Come what may, his decrees are trustworthy. Holiness trumps all. Forever. He is sovereign. He works powerfully in me, in His people and in all situations.
The Lord and His perfect righteousness reigns. He is robed in majesty. Strength is His belt. In this strength, He established the world and all that is in it. He sustains it, just as He establishes and sustains his throne. And although the floods lift up their voice and roar against my ears, I remember this. His throne is established. He is mightier than anything that goes on around me. His decrees are trustworthy. Holiness befits His house.
I remember that all that I need is in Him. HE is what I need. Jesus and all that He is and all that He provides. What I do in the coming months matters less than what He can and will do as I turn to Him in dependence.
This shoreline looks rugged and tough but the mighty waves shape it. May his mighty waves shape even me to look for HIS strength to operate out of, not my own.
What are you needing for everyday life?
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control…
Any of those?
Jesus has it all and will supply as we turn toward Him in each moment that we need it.
My Gospel Transformation ESV Bible study notes say, “His perfect sovereignty joined with absolute goodness answers every need for his people’s sustenance.”
“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” – Philippians 4:19-20.
The sun shows itself full over Lake Superior now. Burning orange fills the sky and reflects off of water and rocks.
Strengthened and emboldened in Christ, I pick up the stone again…this time I throw it.
Linking up with these lovely ladies and their blogs this week:
Beautiful description of your inner world, Amy. Someone watching from the outside would see only peace. I hope you enjoy the rest of your time camping.
Thanks Stevyn! We’re back from our trip now and I’m so thankful to be back to this house that I used to think was too small…:)
This is beautiful and yes He will supply all our needs 🙂 Have fun exploring your childhood memories, it’s sounds beautiful 🙂 flavoursandfrosting@gmail.com
Hi Johlene-it is beautiful–the north shore is great place to go in the summer–so much cooler than in Missouri. Thanks for visiting!
Very beautiful, very encouraging.
Hi Karen–thanks for stopping by here today!
Love this story. It brings back memories of a cross country road trip we did when all four boys were littles and home with us.
Hi Michele–lovely memories! I can tell you love your boys and family. I pray you experience much peace and joy when you remember good times from the younger years and that you have many more as the boys continue to grow! Maybe you can do the trip with their families someday!
Amy,
What a lovely post — I almost felt as if I were there with you as you walked along! So grateful that no matter what waves are rocking our world, that God is there with us through it all. Your vacation sounds like a true adventure, but you’re right I think moms never get a vacation and I hope you find all the refreshment and rejuvenation your soul craves!
Thank you! I’m back now and I’m refreshed and thankful for home! Thanks for visiting me!
What a great Psalm to share. Thanks for linking up with the #RaRaLinkup via Purposeful Faith.
Thanks for hosting this week…and for visiting here!
So beautiful! Thanks for sharing. #RaRaLinkup
Thanks for visiting and sharing the encouragement we receive at #RaRaLinkup
He is always “more than enough.” I kept thinking of the scripture, Lead me to The Rock that is higher than me.” What a beautiful sunrise that is! Visiting from Holly’s Testimony Tuesday #52!
Always…always…in need of the Rock higher than me…and that really is all I need…but sometimes I forget. I felt blessed to capture this sunrise! Thanks for the visit!
Visting next door from #smallwonders. What a beautiful post and meditation on God’s wonders, your yearning to abide in Him deeply..I loved the description of your morning escape to be by God’s side in he beauty of His nature. I felt my own stress melting away! Beautiful post!
I’m back now…but I’m still try to have my morning escape. The coffee is almost ready! I realized on this vacation that my vacation is every morning no matter where I am. I just need to make room to be by God’s side to be revived. Blessings!
Psalm has always been my go-to for some encouragement too. What beautiful promises and good things the Lord makes and does.
No matter what, He is in charged, He sits on the throne. He forever reigns.
I think this will be my new go-to Psalm! Thanks for visiting!
Wow! What a stunning sunrise! Thanks for sharing your moments of His majesty with us, Amy. Glad you were able to carve out some precious time with the Lord 🙂
Thanks for visiting Laura!
You leave me longing to be a fellow spectator on the rocks with you and encouraged to keep setting my alarm in the mornings!
Thanks for visiting…yes…let’s keep setting that alarm!
What a beautiful description of God’s creation where you camped with your sweet family! How encouraging to be reminded that He is ALL we need! Thank you!
Thanks for visiting, Amanda!
Lovely post! Beautiful words and I really loved the Psalm, thanks for sharing. Blessings to you!
Thanks for visiting!
Nicely said, I enjoyed this post !! I think you would fit well in my very first link up I’m hosting tomorrow
“learn from each other”
over at my blog Amanda Unfolded
uniquelyunfolded {dot} com
hope to see you over there ! 🙂
Amanda-thank you for inviting me to your linkup! Thanks for visiting!
Beautiful post Amy! Enjoy your time with family. I grew up in Michigan, your words and photos brought back many memories. Blessings!
Hi Deb! What a wonderful childhood you must have had! The north is so beautiful…and so much cooler than St. Louis right? Thanks for visiting!
hi amy, I’m #17 at FF to your #20. love your scripture! beautiful. blessings as you enjoy your own bed at home after your “vacation.” we need a vacation for sure. need to get one soon once life calms down around here.
Martha–I do hope you get to have a vacation soon! We all need one 🙂 Blessings to you and your family as you seek that and thanks for visiting!
Oh my goodness, Amy. Beautifully written and now I want to get up super early and set outside (in MN) to watch the sunrise. (I have been getting up at 0530 to try and get some additional time with the Lord since hubs has been gone, but Tiny Human is onto my plot. She is matching me step for step…)
Thanks for painting this beautiful heart picture.
Oh–I remember those days. My Ruthie wouldn’t let me out of her sight! I pray that you will find a moment in solitude with the Lord SOON! Thanks for visiting!
Such a beautiful and encouraging post. Thank your for sharing your heart at The Weekend Brew!
Very beautiful post. Thank you for sharing it with us, and for linking up with Grace & Truth this week. 🙂
God bless,
Jenn