Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

My little eyes saw the lighthouse and church atop the mountain. It was a “God” moment when I recognized His presence as I gazed at those two sources of bringing safety to boats and people! I spoke about them in a recent blog. I’m a noticer, a seeker and many times, a finder!

I’ve always been intrigued with those two very significant monuments. Being here last December, Bryson (my youngest grandson) and I asked if we could climb the mountain to get to the top. We were urged to not attempt it because it is so difficult and dangerous to get there. It wasn’t Bryson they were concerned about, of course, as much as this 70-something grandmother.

IBryson and his buddy, Jack, would not be deterred. Two days ago, they drove the golf cart to the bottom of the mountain as the sun was setting in the evening. He came back to the house and announced their conquest of reaching the summit – declaring, “Nana, let’s go at sunrise!” I didn’t have to think about it. I was all in — spirit, soul, and body.

The body part, however, was a little apprehensive. That day, we had a family pickleball tournament. The winners of 2 out of 3 matches would play the winners of the other group. Eight of us played. The pickleball pro at the courts was my partner. Whoo hoo! I was in it to win it.

Imagine my chagrin, after doing quite well, when I lost my footing, and plundered to the ground. Fortunately, it was my left leg which was strong and whole. NOT the right leg that I’ve been months in therapy and decompression from a hamstring strain injury. Argh!

Now, I had two legs in need of healing to traverse that mountain tomorrow morning. I nursed them both with prayer, ice packs and Ibuprofen. I hoped I would be fit for the next morning’s 6 am feat! I’m here professing gratitude for God’s miracle working power. Both legs were pain-free. I was not denied my mountain-top experience.

Bryson and I have traversed many caverns and hills in the past, so this was a no-brainer for us yesterday. He maneuvered the golf cart in pitch-darkness. It was steep and rocky, but with his strong arm and my determination, we made it to the top. You can see how much more compelling the gorgeous sunrise was from this vantage point than my previous days’ photos from the 18th hole of the golf course.

We made our way to the stunning, active lighthouse. It guides boats and ships to safety. Doesn’t that sound like our Father Who is always leading us to safety through the storms of life? In John 6 we read: “The crowd got into boats and came to Capernaum looking for Jesus.” They, too, were looking for a safe harbor. They were looking for peace, healing, comfort, and a new way of living.

That is this world. People are seeking. We pray God uses us as “lighthouses” to help guide them to places of security and peace.

Then we made our way to this ginormous CROSS that is like a lighthouse reminding those who have lost their way in life, to our Savior’s love that He gave us at Calvary! There I go again with another cross. In yesterday’s blog, I spoke of the homes where workers placed a cross for safety and protection.

Our expedition finale was this most gorgeous Catholic Chapel. I spoke to a man who was guiding another man up a safer way to this chapel. He told me that the owner of the large resort that we could see from atop this mountain, built it two years ago for any who need a place to find their hearts, their souls, and their bodies in the safety of God’s love.

Thank you, Lord, for giving me all those benefits on this day when “the mountain wasn’t so high that it kept me from the hidden treasures found for my body, soul, and spirit, too!” Don’t let naysayers keep you from that place either!