Take Nothing for Granted

God blessed my husband and me with all that was needed for us to get away for a couple of days. I want to share how this trip came about in order to encourage someone out there that might think, “I could never do this.”

My husband and I try to get away at least once a year. However, there have been circumstances and situations that have made it difficult, if not impossible to do this. One of my weaknesses is that I have a tendency to think, “we can never”, or “that will never happen to us, etc.” But, the LORD, always amazes me and humbles me with His love and care for me.

Back in 2006 the LORD provided for us to get away for a couple of days. I didn’t know where to even begin looking. He led me to a beautiful Bed and Breakfast up in Big Bear Lake. It was the perfect spot to relax, sleep and spend time with each other and with the LORD. We absolutely loved it! I remember being aware of one of the other rooms (a pricier one) that had a Jacuzzi and its balcony sat right on the lake, my thought was “we could never.” Well, three years later that is the room we stayed in.

First a friend of mine gave me a gift and said, “The LORD said this is for you and your husband to get away.” I immediately thought of Big Bear. I started praying. At this time we could not possibly get away given all that was happening in our family and home. I asked the LORD if it was possible for Him to grant us to go to Big Bear in October (the Fall in the mountains is absolutely gorgeous). I also asked Him if we could stay in that Bed and Breakfast, and if it wasn’t too much to ask, could we stay in The Shores (that’s the name of the room I had looked at previously). I looked up all the information and “it just happened” that the Bed and Breakfast was having a week day special and The Shores was the price that we could afford! And the rest my friends is history.

Allow me to back track a little. A few days before we left I was privileged to meet a precious woman that stirred me up and made me think a whole lot. She has had two brain aneurysms. She understands that “today is all we have; tomorrow is not guaranteed.” I believe some of us “quote” this, but really don’t live like we believe it. She reminded me that what I have can change in an instant. She reminded me that my husband, my children, my family is there now, but don’t take them for granted. She encouraged me to live each moment as if it was my last. As we were together she received a typed note, nothing fancy, from her husband and her son – her face lit up with joy and love. She even shared her note with everyone. She was so touched by her little note, that meant so much to her. (There was much more to this encounter, but for now this is all I’ll share.)

I thank the LORD for this encounter with this precious woman. Because of this encounter my husband and my getaway was so much more precious and meaningful. My time sitting with my husband, looking at his face, looking into his eyes, touching his warm hands, feeling his warm embrace, was so special. My thought was, “this can change in an instant.”

The LORD also reminded me that HE loves me and has good plans for me, not to harm me, but to mold me and shape me into the image of His Son.

Thank you Jesus for your unconditional love. Thank you LORD for your blessings, may I never take them for granted. Help me to focus on whatever is true, noble and praiseworthy. May I not cloud your love and your blessings with my self-pity and unbelief. Touch that person that feels like they will never get “rest”, like they will never get “a break”. Fill them with an expectant hope and with a joyful heart. In Jesus name – Amen.