Hawaii (April 23, 2007)

Wow! We are here in Hawaii and our sabbatical has begun. Our first few days have been amazing. On our first day here, Joshua was up before sunrise and ready to go to the beach. He was insistant that he wanted to see the sun rise from the beach, so I went down with him. It was a truly awe inspiring experience. We watched the sun appear out of the ocean and a new day had begun, just like that. Just before the sun rose, he and I walked down the beach together. The sand was just firm enough to leave a clear impression of our footprints. We walked for a while with two sets of prints, then I began walking in his footprints. At that point we were leaving only one set. I was reminded of the poem "Footprints". Later, I realized just how prophetic the morning had been.We walked together on the beach, just as I have spent much of my life walking with the Lord. However, there have been those times when there was only one set of prints. Lately it seems that those are the times I have noticed and questioned why God had left me alone. Of course he hadn't. Although, the last several months have felt as though I were lost, I realized that it has been through those times that He has been carrying me. He has kept me safe and secure through all the hardships and pain and He has kept my head above water, even though I have been weary. Well, now we have finally accepted a season of rest - a sabbatical and a new day is dawning. Just that quickly, the Son has arisen on my behalf and it is truly a new day. I know that when this rest is done, I will once again be walking right beside him and serving just as he directs. Being carried is wonderful, but it will be nice to be able to offer myself in service at His side once again.