All I Can Do Is Say Thank You!

While in India my husband went on a hike with our school group, using a local guide as a standard procedure. It was to be a long and final hike of the season, so he was anxious but excited at the same time. Being a seasoned hiker in the states and former park ranger, his favorite place is the great outdoors.

Being in rural India however brings on a whole new dimension to hiking, but off he goes with backpack in hand ready for what the day brings, our at least he thinks. As I putter around the house and have a lazy day off, I await his return with shared stories and pictures. Instead however, I received a phone call that evening saying the local guide got lost and everyone was still in the woods, though exactly where they were not sure, but not to worry they would do their best to find them.

Well with night setting in I knew it was unlikely they would be found until the next morning, so I did what most people do in times of uncertainty, I prayed. Novel I know. My confidence in God's protective hand and knowing my husband's survival skills, allowed me to settle in for the night with relative peace.

Before going to bed, knowing there was nothing I could do, I thought back to the times in my life where I could see God's handprint and his divine guidance through impossible situations. With that I said a final prayer and rested, thanking God for my warm blanket and prayed for their warmth and protection as well.

Upon waking in the morning with still no word, I decided to call  to get an update from those who were out looking. It was reported that they had indeed set up camp and built fires to keep warm and tried to sleep while waiting for daybreak to continue onward looking for a way back. Though it was unprecedented to stop, my husband had insisted to push on would not be safe for the kids, and advised that they needed to set up camp and build fires to keep warm with night setting in.With matches my husband just happened to have with him, they agreed to do so and stayed put, keeping everyone warm by the fires and trying to rest until they could see again at daybreak.

What they only learned later on was that there was a herd of elephants stampeding where they would have exited had they pushed on. In retrospect as stories were shared, they could see God's hand of protection in the midst of their storm. A calm and the right mix of people and resources too see them through their valley.

Have you ever experienced hardships, survived and was able to look back and say "WOW"
and been encouraged by God's divine provision! I pray we all have those moments of reflection that encourage us and others on our path to look to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, even in the most remote places, like India.

Blessings on your journey.....