Prayers For A Seismic Event.

Isaiah 78:35  "And they remembered that God was their Rock, and the most High God, their Redeemer."

Last weekend, my family and I traveled just a couple hours east to the low desert for a weekend getaway. Always enjoying the open landscape of the desert, its unique plant life and vast wilderness, it certainly did not dissapoint. We took a drive out to Joshua Tree National Park on one of our outings, capturing visuals with photography and viewing information provided by the U.S. Dept. of the Interior--awe-struck at the beauty and splendor. God's architectural floor plan of these deserts actually include the convergence of two: the Mojave and the Colorado.

The weekend, special to us because it is the birthday of my older son, who looks down upon us now,  from his Heavenly vantage point. We do this family time in his memory for our own good and because God is good.

It's 3 days I yearn for more than Christmas, more than summer vacation, more than reunions, more than...anything. 

Why? 

Because in those 3 short days, a difficult relationship I have with my other son, heals. He lets his guard down. I never talk about yesterday or next week. We enjoy the moment, laughing, learning, playing, speaking civil to each other, exploring, celebrating, asking questions without pretense-- loving each other and  totally enjoying the scenery, the food and the atmosphere...each other. 

I ask God in my prayers... why do things change when we return?  His answer to me is to wait, be patient, keep praying and keep acting as though everyday I have to love on my son, is a day I am making and creating something new in him, softening him to receive and know the path I  planned for his own redemption, his return to his own promised land.

 OK, Lord, I trust You. 

For now, his wild wilderness remains untamed, hidden with venomous snakes seemingly always ready to strike. Like the Rangers at the station of the entrance to the park, God's Holy Spirit is at work protecting and guiding him and encouraging me. At night, away from the artificial light of the world, the sky in the desert displays the brillance of the stars and the planets--God's glorious realm in the heavenly places. I believe with all my heart because he is my son and I know his soul, that in his own strength, things will not change, but through faithful prayers of many and God's will, mountains will move and hearts will proclaim His goodness and stars will shine into eternity on the day God does a work in his heart. 

He moved mountains for me and in the moving of those hard places, one can see the evidence of surrender, the patterns of grace and the shape and color of love formed by the Creator himself. The bubbling lava of sin, shame, regret and grief, is now a vessel, a usable tool for His glory. 

For the next few days, the USGS has issued an earthquake advisory for So. California.  With over 140 "seismic events" recorded since Monday along the San Andreas Fault, (which also runs through Joshua Tree) this prediction warns us to be prepared in the event of the inevitable, the shaking up and realigning of the earth's crust. 

http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-91617426/

Sometimes God has to do that...shake us up, and show us where we need realigning, teach us how to do just that. It's a slow process.  Joshua Tree, formed by volcanic activity, molten rock intruding into hardened rock,  is very visible and the unique shapes and stacking is truly magnificent. God has a plan for each and every one of us. 

Jesus, I pray to be a part of the plan, not in the way of Your plan. I ask for your molten blood to intrude and form a new shape in a hardened heart. Bring about change in a varied and vulnerable young man like the beautiful desert we explored. Converge your vast will and sovereignty together and create a unique and powerful formation in my son. Let him grow up, towards Your Light. When anger boils over and pressure cracks at the surface, show us the shade and hydration of  Your oasis of truth and purpose. Teach us Lord to honor you and set You apart and be a witness with kindness and gentleness, preserving the wonder You have created us to be. I pray this for our sons and daughters in the wilderness and for ourselves, traveling the road of faith that offers strength and hope around every turn.  Thank you Lord for your magnificent Creation and the lessons we learn and the inspiration it brings. Amen. 

Heart-Shaped Rocks 

Purposefully Listening

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Her hand wiped the table clean as if directing the music of her praise song, her vocal statement uttered to herself--but purposefully out loud to bring her morning worship to the Lord.  She caught my attention immediately and I listened--purposefully.

"Give me Jesus, Give me Jesus.

You can have all the world,

But give me Jesus."

 

We (sister and I), sat in the self-serve breakfast area of the hotel, after gathering our meal choices, a freshly-made waffle, the butter pooling in grid pockets, bacon curling around the plate and the coffee awakening us to the day. Soon enough, this WOULD be a day to reflect on generations past.

 

Staying over night in a town called Springerville; it is just outside of another town we planned on heading out to after checking out. That town, my grandfather's birthplace and that of his father and his father's father, awaited our discovery. It is called St. John. in the state of Arizona.

 

"I like your song," I said. She looked up at me and smiled as she contined to work.

 

A middle-aged man came into the dining room; a man she obviously knew and began to chit-chat with. My sister and I eavesdropped on their playful banter.

 

He finished his quick meal then left after a hug and good-bye words. She resumed her duties and her singing--a different tune, but one I knew as well continuing to give praise to her Lord while maintaining her work area, servicing her guests.

 

Such peace I began to feel as I listened to her soft worship.

 

"I know that song too," I said. She then came over to our table as I continued to sing some of the lyrics with her.

 

"Was that the owner of the hotel?" I inquired.

 

"Oh no. He works for the railroad. He always stays here."  (long pause). He almost died last year...his heart."

 

She stopped again and looked at me, resumed her singing. This third song surprisingly contemporary for this older saint. She continued to stand in front of our table, apron tied crisp around her waist; her years neatly laid out on her thankful face. And she began to sing:

I looked over at my sis as tears naturally began to well up.

"This song means a lot to us, it's special to my sister," Lauren said.

The waitress, she stops singing, folds her hands in front of her and looks at me as if searching for my own truth.

She speaks: "You are recovering, aren't you." (It was a statement, not a question).

"Yes," I said. And I knew what she meant as all three of us began to sing the chorus again, a dream of Heaven and eternity.

"I have a son in Heaven. It's been five years."

She cupped her hands over mine, continuing to sing, lavishing her words and her quiet confidence in her Lord.

                                                  +++

"Wow, that was wierd," Lauren would say as we headed out.

"These things happen to me a lot. You know. I write about it. This time, God showed up to both of us. You experienced this blessing with me! How cool is that! Sometimes, God is not exclusive. I think this was more for you."

Driving to St. John forty minutes down the road, we'd find ourselves later standing in an antiquated cemetary among numerous grave markers embellished with my family name, listening to thunder and lightening cracking the dark, ominous sky.  (This story to be cont.).

No Lord, I could never imagine what amazing blessings You pour out to me, even while sitting in a small hotel, in an out of the way town, by perfect strangers. (or walking the streets of Flagstaff). These things have an eternal meaning, for You purposed us to reflect Your glory here and I have met your servants along the way. Thank you for singing waitresses and for giving me glimpses of Your Glory. Amen.