“WHERE MOUNTAINS CAN MOVE YOU!” That’s the South Dakota Tourism slogan –
because of the amazing sight of four of our President’s faces carved into the
side of the mountains, and of course, don’t forget the ever-growing image of
Crazy Horse that emerges from the side of yet another mountain, more with each
passing year! The moment I actually “saw”
that slogan, it was like something clicked!
Yes, we all know about mountains, don’t we? Sure, many of us may not be able to rattle
off the names of all the highest peaks or list all of the mountain ranges … but
we are experts, indeed, when it comes to the mountains that we face on a daily
basis! Do you ever feel like you are
scaling mountains almost as much as you are walking on level ground these
days? Well, you are in good company, for
lots of us are walking in those same hiking shoes! Sometimes, we even have the ropes attached to
us to keep us safe from slipping off the precarious, rocky edges. And we dig in. We put one foot in front of the other. And we climb.
We choose each step carefully and keep our eyes on the peak high above
us. Will we ever get there? It seems so daunting, doesn’t it? But reaching the very top will make all the
slippery slopes and rugged terrain worthwhile!
A few mornings ago, I scaled an unexpected mountain when I received a phone
call at work (our children never call us at work unless the reason merits doing
so). So when I saw who it was, my heart
began to beat a bit faster. What would I
hear when I answered? Taking a deep
breath, I heard the news that our baby Emma – who will be our very first
great-grandchild and who is about to make her appearance – was not moving in
her mommy’s womb. That is so unlike
her. She wakes her mommy up every morning
with her topsy-turvy antics! This particular
morning … nothing. Worried, her mommy
who is our granddaughter, Whitney, called her mom to say she was heading to the
hospital. Whitney’s mom, Stacey, was on
her way to meet her and she dialed my phone.
Quickly filling me in, she asked me to pray. The mountain suddenly loomed large in front
of me. “Dear God, help us,” I cried out
inside. Taking a short break from my
work, I listened to her words, and with news like this, there’s a part of you
inside that simply freezes – your heart nearly stops. I told Stacey, “let’s pray right now!” And pray, we did! As much as we were asking God for the miracle
for little Emma, we implored God for peace … His peace! Trusting, and clinging to His promises,
thinking of all of our prayers for her all these nearly nine months – we continued
to pray. Finally, a text came in to my
phone. “Emma’s alright – they found her
heartbeat!” A torrent of overwhelming
praise and gratitude to our Father in Heaven ensues! Then, another text. Baby Emma is very lethargic; the medical
staff is ordering a special ultra-sound.
Our human questions kick in: “She’s
alive, but could something be wrong?”
The dangerous slopes seem too close for comfort. Can I get a strong enough footing? Oh yes, I must keep looking up! I dare not look down below where all the
worst scenarios are swirling. “Oh God,
You are our Strength, our Hope, an ever-present Help in time of trouble … I
praise Your Holy Name!” Finally the medical
answer comes, and as I reach the summit and see the breathtaking view of God’s
wonder-working power, I can catch my breath and celebrate that “Baby Emma was
just having a sleepy day … and her mommy could go back home and wait for the moment
of her birth!” (doctor’s quote) This great-gramma-to-be was dancing on the
mountaintop with my personal claim on Psalm 139:13-14: “For You created Emma’s
inmost being; you knit her together in her mother’s womb. She can praise You because she is fearfully
and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Like mine was, may YOUR mountain be moved,
too, through the power of the Lord Jesus Christ!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
OUR PRAYERS & SYMPATHY are with Jesse in the recent loss of
his Grampa; may God’s comfort & peace be yours!
SUN, AUG 19: 10:00 A.M. –
KINGDOM CONNECTION with classes and learning for everyone! Participate with us!
SUN, AUG 26: 10:00 A.M. –
PRAISE & WORSHIP, w/message, “The Most Important Gift of All” from I Cor,
13
WOMEN OF FAITH CONFERENCE ticket money is due now; please turn
your $89 in to Debbie. Keep inviting
gals!
PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . . Zoe’s family/loss from the fire, new
believers, college students, and unspoken needs
REMEMBER . . . “We are not alone on our journey … We never have
to feel lost in our struggles, but can always trust that God walks with us
(even moving mountains for us!)” ~ Henri
J.M. Nouwen
