mountains and hospitals...

As we flew in over the California inland, I couldn’t help but be captivated by the beauty of the snow-capped San Bernardino Mountains. What an amazing worship experience, to stare at the mountaintops from above instead of below, and to breathe in the wonders of the great Creator.

Landing suddenly transformed me back to my childhood; the palm trees looked slightly smaller in height, but my girlish notions of camping out under them and the stars remained the same. Glancing up at the mountains now that I was at their foothills, I chuckled to myself as the snowcaps appeared to be suspended in mid air. A lovely thick layer of smog covered the bottom half of the land mass. What a shame, I thought, how man’s nature prevails in tainting the majestic beauty of God.

Death is an interesting thing. It can be wondrously painful and heart-wrenching. But I think it can also be joyful. I say this with a new take on the joy of death. I’m not necessarily talking about the joy which one receives from knowing that one has passed on to be with the Lord in heaven. Instead, I mean the joys that are received from solely knowing that God is sovereign and that His glory will be made known in this world. Death can bring a strong sense of God’s sovereignty; This morning, about ten minutes after my grandfather was wheeled away for massive quadruple heart bypass surgery, I took some time to go outside in the chilled morning air. I walked around the hospital parking lot and couldn’t help but notice the spectacular sunset rising over the mountains. The air was dense and foggy; I could see my breath relay out into the humid air. Psalms seemed appropriate, so I choose a few chapters to read aloud to the Lord. While proclaiming the Lord’s Word for all the birds and skies and ears to hear, I was overwhelmed with a peace and presence of the Spirit. My heart was radiant; I wanted to proclaim the Lord’s goodness for all those to hear. It was brilliantly wonderful. For it is so true! The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away, but still my heart will cry out, "Blessed be the Lord, our God!" surly the Lord is good in all things. His plans cannot be thwarted. His glory cannot be contained. All who look will see that the Lord is good.

Everything went surprisingly well. My grandpa is fine. My family is relieved. People will actually sleep tonight for the first time in days. No more wretched no-name motels to sleep in and no more trips to the awful dining facility on the base floor that calls itself a cafeteria. No more sitting for five hours in the same waiting room chair. No more tears. No more prayers, at least not until the next trauma occurrence. For do we only look to the Lord in times of distress? And God sits enthroned in the heavens and remains still as the perfect provider of all, robed in splendor and righteousness, ready to dispense His glory throughout all the heavens and earth. He will do such by whatever means he deems fit, for his glory’s sake; and for that alone, I am thankful to be alive.

posted by *g* @ 8:30 PM