The death of a person in one’s life can leave one with mixed feelings. In my case, I felt a sadness at my father’s death yet my brain wasn’t quite able to process it. Not yet. I cried a bit, composed myself and continued on to what would be the best part of our vacation. Yet, there were moments when tears would swell and I didn’t understand why.
I simply didn’t know my father. And that was probably what made me the saddest. I understand that we can’t truly know people 100% but I would have settled for 50% or even 25% … something more than what I had which was mostly other peoples stories about my father that tended to conflict with each other.
My husband and I continued our drive northward to Munising, Michigan where we wanted to take an almost 3 hour cruise on Lake Superior to see the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore which is a part of the National Park Service.
Upon arrival, we noticed there was a boat leaving within 10 minutes but we decided to wait, have lunch and take the 4 p.m. cruise instead. Later, I was thankful we made that decision because as we headed east on the shore the sun reflected quite differently than when we returned. It was quite spectacular as evidenced in the pictures below.
We were blessed with sunshine which offset the cold temperature just a little bit ~ 54° Fahrenheit. Brrr … We were told that the temperature out on the water would be 10° colder. More brrrrr ….
I had packed a winter hat and a blanket for this trip so carried them onto the boat with me.
Although the waters were choppy, once we left the pier people headed to the back of the boat to take pictures. We were warned by our tour guide not to use up all of our film at the beginning of the trip as the rocks would be prettier later on. Film? We all laughed although he was serious as he said he’s probably one of the few people left who uses a camera that has film in it.
This could have been a very emotional day for me but for the beauty of the earth. I believe that in God’s foreknowledge He knew that I would need to be in this spot experiencing these moments.
Death would not overcome earth’s beauty ~ at least not today.
The rock formations soon started coming into view.
At first, I tried to take pictures through the window glass but they weren’t coming out very well. I walked to the back of the boat where people were crammed together jostling to take pictures. Being as I’m short, I couldn’t take pictures over peoples heads so I went back inside and waited for some people to come back inside. Sure enough, as people got cold, they started flocking back in to the warmth of the interior of the boat. Finally I had my opportunity to take pictures.
The pictures below are just a few of the ones I took. You may see some pictures that appear to be duplicates but there will be variations because of the reflection of the sun ~ one heading out from the pier and one returning to the pier.
God’s intervention in this particular moment in my life was welcomed ~ He couldn’t have had better timing.
“But whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.†John 4:14
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” Psalm 27:19
“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.” Psalm 40:2
“But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; You consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to You; You are the helper of the fatherless.” Â Psalm 10:14
“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord Himself, is the Rock eternal.” Isaiah 26:4
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.” Â Psalm 28:7
“Lord my God, I called to You for help, and You healed me.” Psalm 30:2
“The Lord is the strength of His people, a fortress of salvation for His anointed one.” Psalm 28:8
“Truly He is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” Psalm 62:6
“Lord, be gracious to us; we long for You. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.” Isaiah 33:3
“Since You are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of Your name lead and guide me.” Â Psalm 31:3
“He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Psalm 91:4
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” Psalm 28:7
The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore cruise that we took was approximately 3 hours long and went along the 40 miles of shoreline. The price was $36 per person and was well worth it ~ sometimes you can’t put a price on beauty.
Neither can I put a price on a Father who is always there watching over me. Earthly fathers may disappoint because they each have their own weaknesses that they are battling. But not my heavenly Father.
Time and time again He steps into my life ~ He’s always there but it is I who miss some of the everyday blessings He bestows on me. Yet ~ He stepped in again and made sure that I knew He was near me. Standing in front of me to guide me, beside me to listen to me and behind me in case I should fall.
I don’t know if I will see my earthly father in heaven. The last time I spoke to him he spoke of God, but I don’t know what his relationship was like with God when he died.
I will hope ~ that’s all I can do. Perhaps he will answer the questions I have in my heart about him. Perhaps.
For now, I can be at peace knowing that my Father in heaven will never leave me nor forsake me.
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