Anyway, I was going to launch from a park not far from that site. As I came to the split in the road where I turn left to the park, but right to the old launch, I put on my left turn signal. But something made me veer sharply at the last second, and turn right. I wanted to see my old beautiful launch site, the portion of the river I loved so much, and whether the restaurant was finished being built.
The restaurant had a huge sign: 'Open for Business'. The building was beautiful, with a deck overlooking the stunning view of the river. And, the sign that had said 'No public kayak launch' was gone! I pulled into my old parking spot, hauled out my kayak, and with not a few joyful praises to God, splashed into the beautiful still waters.
There was not a single other person on the river. I had those peaceful, quiet waters all to myself. I had only planned to kayak a half hour, since I worried my injured rib and strained shoulder muscles might rebel if I went any longer. However, they barely hurt at all, so I kayaked an hour and a half. Only reluctantly did I force myself back to shore.
And then, I had no choice but to check out the new restaurant. This was a day of celebration. There was one table left on the deck. The waitress sat me at the table and asked if I would be dining alone. I think she felt sorry for me, but I don't mind being alone looking out at God's incredible world in all its beauty. This was my favorite portion of the river I was gazing at from my solitary table on the deck, and I no longer had to worry I would not be able to return.
"I am dining alone. This is a celebration."
"Oh?"
"I just finished kayaking for the first time in three months."
"Wow! Why have you not kayaked?"
"Well, I broke my rib...and I was going through radiation."
"Oh my!"
She stayed and talked with me for some time, sharing that she had had lung cancer. The doctor found it when she fell and thought she broke her rib. The rib wasn't broken, but fortunately, the MRI revealed the cancer!
"Praise God that you fell," I said, "Or they might never have found it."
"Yes," she said.
God was reminding me (again) that sometimes what seem like disasters are really blessings in disguise. Sometimes, He leads us in unexpected ways to revelations and even joys we never expected to find. How glad I was that at the last moment, I had turned my car down the old familiar road to visit the old launch site I didn't think I could ever launch from again!
*******************
Luke 6:17-23
And he came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great
crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea
and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him
and to be healed of their diseases. And those who were troubled with
unclean spirits were cured. And all the crowd sought to touch him, for
power came out from him and healed them all. And he lifted up his eyes
on his disciples, and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is
the kingdom of God. “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall
be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. ...
WOW. Ask is well! I had an amazing, anazing morning. God is so good.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how God puts people we need in our paths on our cancer journey.
ReplyDeleteIt sure is! Happened to me time and time again.
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