Mortal Metamorphosis

When I set out on my hike today the sky looked like it might be clearing up, so I prayed to God and asked Him to simply part the clouds and let the sun shine through, if not for the hike then at least when I got to the treasure at the end… Strawberry Lake.

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By the time I arrived at the trailhead the sky looked warm and I could see blue patches peeking through from behind steel grey cloud curtains. It wasn’t long before the sheets of shine-stealing water vapor invaded the sky, chasing off what remained of the bashful blue goodness.

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I remained hopeful, as I got closer and closer to my reward at the end of the short but strenuous hike, that I would get at least a little sunshine for some good photo opportunities. I felt like bargaining with The Almighty Himself, “To help me spread Your word”, I pondered praying for perfect pictures and inspiration.

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When I finally got to the lake at the top of the mountain I was granted exactly two minutes of one clear, blue-ish patch of mostly sunless sky. I got my picture and thanked God for giving me what I needed even if it wasn’t exactly what I wanted.

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I ate and relaxed with a book for a while before starting back down the mountain. The sky had gotten much greyer and the wind had picked up, so it was colder and looked later than it actually was. I was in good spirits and felt warm, partly because of my military grade cold weather gear, but mostly because I felt the Warmth of Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God Himself rushing through every cell of my body.

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I got a few more pictures on the way down but it wasn’t until I got all way to my car and was heading home when I finally got the “picture” God was painting all day, waiting for that perfect moment to present it to the world. He granted me those few minutes on top of the mountain so I knew he was listening, but then he continued to add stroke after stroke of his Majestic Brush until his masterpiece was ready to be revealed.

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If God had cleared the skies earlier and granted me my wish, His art project might not have turned out so perfect and masterful. Trust in the Lord to always know when and how to answer our prayers, for He’s always listening and will never forsake us.

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And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a Rock.

Matthew 7:25