I have missed you guys, and I am glad to be back. Among the life stuff that has kept me away for a few weeks was our vacation. My husband Scott and I had been looking forward to it for months. We left on September 6 for a 10-day getaway to the beach. We decided to go somewhere we had never been. We chose a beach in NC.

Leading up to our trip, we were working non-stop to get things taken care of while we were away. We were too busy in fact to even watch the news.  We arrived at our getaway in Ocean Isle Beach, NC, and settled in for a long stay. We rented a lovely little house, and took our little yorkie Toby with us. Ah, rest finally. Time to reflect, refresh, and rejuvenate.

Right away on the Friday we arrived, we walked on the beach. It is one of my favorite places. It centers me. The tiny grains of sand remind me of my smallness, and the endless vastness and power of the ocean remind me of God’s ability to handle even my smallest problem.

This vacation was going to be great.

Not so fast.

Soon after we arrived, one of our friendly neighbors walked by with his dog and introduced himself. He said, “I see you have come to join us for the storm.” I could almost hear the brakes squealing in my mind as Scott told me about his conversation with the neighbor. What storm?

Florence would likely hit somewhere in the Southeast, and right then we were in the cross hairs, 20 miles south of Wilmington. They were not certain yet. Maybe it would turn back to sea. We prayed and tried to focus on getting back to vacation.

By Sunday night though, Florence was a category 4, and Wilmington was the likely target. We were 20 miles away and Florence was 400 miles wide, well, you do the math. While we love adventure, we were not ready for this one. We called the property owner, and made plans to evacuate ahead of the crowds, ahead of Florence. By Monday morning, we were on the road to Tennessee.

We rented a comfortable chalet high above the town of Gatlinburg, and arrived there late that night. The mountains are so beautiful, and another of our favorite places to visit. We just had to change our gears from beach to mountain. We were thankful that unlike some people, we were safe from the storm high up there on that mountain. This vacation was still going to be good.

On one of our first days there, we went into Gatlinburg to check out the shops. In one of them, a young lady told us that if we wanted to enjoy Pigeon Forge, we needed to go soon because the biggest rod run of the year was going on there and also people were flooding into the area from the beach. So much for peace and quiet.

Still we were determined to enjoy our break. We went to Clingman’s Dome. We could see the whole Blue Ridge Parkway from there. As I stood overlooking the breathtaking beauty and wonder of all those mountains, I had an overwhelming peace. It was definitely a “Be still and know that He is God” moment. I could have sat there looking out over that view for a thousand years.

We had just experienced the beauty of the ocean, and I was imagining the hurricane with all its power. And now I was seeing this beauty that could not possibly have been created by man, with mountains as far as I could see. So many homes down there. Life was everywhere. God was controlling it all. He made our beautiful world, and he keeps it spinning on its axis, all for us. He has it all in His hands, the mountains, the sea, the storm, …me. Romans 1:20 says, “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”

There is a country song that says, “I Saw God Today”. Well, I definitely saw God on my vacation. And even though we had to leave Tennessee early because of the storm bearing down on our community, our vacation was completely life changing and amazing and one we will never forget. He is such a Big, Big God. While I am never surprised by His glory, I am always amazed by how truly spectacular it is.

Dear Lord: Thank you for keeping us safe from the storm. Your power and provision for us are truly amazing, and indescribable. We praise You because You are God, and we are not. Please continue to be with those who are still feeling the effects of the hurricane in NC and SC. May You bring good from it, and blessings of renewal for those who have lost so much. You are always working a plan. May Your good and perfect will be done through the storm and through all the hardships and adventures of our lives. Amen

This is what God the Lord says—the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it. Isaiah 42:5  

Yet when they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, the Lord brought them out of their distress. He calmed the storm and its waves quieted down. So they rejoiced that the waves became quiet, and he led them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his gracious love and for his awesome deeds on behalf of mankind.  Psalm 107:28-31

I would love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts, experiences, and comments.

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. May God show you His beauty as you spend quiet moments with Him, and may He always keep you safe through the storms of this life.