First let me just say, yesterday was so fun! I love getting completely lost and utterly involved in crafty/artsy/creative projects! And to my delight that is exactly what my job consisted of yesterday. I spent the greater part of the day designing a flyer to be handed out on an industrial property tour my boss is hosting (sounds more boring than it is) I've never worked with Microsoft Publisher until yesterday but wow... what an awesome program :)
Pastor Barry's message Sunday was awesome. Sunday started off so peaceful, getting up earlier enough to get ready make breakfast AND make coffee before church. The sunshine was out and I woke up knowing it was going to be a great day.
Reflecting on that message I realize I've had quite a few invisible hand of God moments in my life. Relying on the Lord when my dad had a liver transplant 6 years ago and both parents were in Portland for 2 1/2 months, sure my mom came home on weekends to cook food for the week or go grocery shopping but for the most part those 2 1/2 months my brother and I took care of each other. All that to say, my dad got "the call" that it was time for the transplant just 3 days after my 16th birthday. It may not sound like a lot, but the Lord new exactly what he was doing. It absolutely was NOT coincidence that on January 26th I turned old enough to drive my brother to and from school and church by myself without having to rely on other relatives to take care of us. What a blessing. Aside from the strength God provided my family throughout the whole process, that small detail is one I cherish and look back on and thank the Lord.
More recently (three weeks ago) I again experienced God's hand in a very powerful way and to me this time, not so invisible. Playing in the river with family and friends, following the current, laughing and having a good time soon turned into the scariest moment of my life when for a split second I "knew" it would be the day I died, drowning in the Trask River. I'd never felt so helpless and completely alone then I did being rushed down those rapids. Finally ending in a deep pool, spinning in circles I'm actually a little ashamed. The first scene that my mind played through was that of an episode of Grey's Anatomy I'd seen months before, when Grey jumps into the bay after a tragic ferry accident. She hadn't been invovled in the accident yet she wound up in the bay and there she was, on the screen trying to swim until all of a sudden she just "lets go" and nearly drowns. Now of course she's the main character, the show is named after her for crying out loud, she can't die. But I certainly could have. the split second following that memory was my own self saying "Sarah NO, you WILL NOT drown. You WILL keep swimming until your arms and legs fall off you will. It was in that moment I began internally crying out to God. "Lord I can't do it, I just can't! I can't continue to tread here, short of breath and all alone. Please God, open my eyes to a ledge, a branch, a rock anything Father, I need something to hold on to." Wow, the second I prayed that prayer God answered me and literally my eyes were opened to the ONLY space on the 7ft tall smooth rock wall I could have held to. "Thank you Jesus!!!" Once I had hold of that, and then saw my friend Ryan and James coming to my rescue I knew I would make it. By the grace of God.
Finally Saturday, James and his father went out for a drive, they thought they'd go exploring. What they didn't expect was to almost get into a huge accident at 50mph and almost roll his explorer literally 5 times. I haven't seen the tire tracks on the road, and you'll have to ask James for the details. but Praise God he is okay!
Reflecting on all of this I realize just how much I have to be thankful for. Even the small daily things.
Thank You God, for your invisible hand in our lives every day.