The Grand Canyon

It was dark when I headed out to the Grand Canyon.  I gave myself two hours to drive the 80 miles I still had to go to reach the canyon, and I wasn't sure what kind of road I'd be traveling.  I wanted to be sure to get there before the sun rose.  As I reached the park the sky was just starting to lighten.  I drove to the gate and found a sign that said "Guard gate closed.  Enjoy the park!"  I was so early I didn't even have to pay to get in.

I pulled in to the parking lot of the first outlook I came to, hoping I would have a good view of the sunrise.  I was completely alone.  Bird twittered all around me.  It was almost cold with a breeze blowing occasionally.  It was so quiet I could hear the wind as it whooshed down the canyon.  The sky continued to lighten and by the time the sun peeked over the horizon I was chilled through.  But it was so beautiful I couldn't stop taking pictures.

By the time the sun was up there were eleven other people talking and disturbing my space, so I left and drove around to the next outlook point.  Every time I stopped I took more pictures and enjoyed the scenery even more.  I don't know what I had thought, but I didn't realize that the canyon wasn't just an empty canyon.  There are rock formations of all shapes and sizes throughout the bottom and up the sides of it.  I guess that makes me sound a little stupid, but I never really thought about it before.  I stopped at three or four different outlook points, and every one of them had a different variation of the beauty of the canyon.  It was magnificent.  At one place I was sitting alone warming up in the sun, and decided in the quiet that I would read the devotional I had skipped that morning when I left so early.  Here is my message from Jesus for June 27th:

Rest with me a while.  You have journeyed up a steep, rugged path in recent days.  The way ahead is shrouded in uncertainty. Look neither behind you nor before you.  Instead, focus your attention on me, your constant companion.  Trust that I will equip you fully for whatever awaits you on your journey.  (That's from Jesus Calling, by Sarah Young)  Isn't that just perfect for where I am in my life?  It is exactly what I needed to hear.  I left the Grand Canyon rested, encouraged and ready to move ahead on my journey.  I am so thankful that He knows me and knows exactly what I need to hear.  I'm thankful He has a plan for me, and will show me each step as I reach it.  I look forward to discovering what comes next!