Up the Mountian

Scooters. Cars. Trucks. Industry. The pollution in the tiny country of Taiwan can be overpowering at times! It isn't uncommon to see scooter drivers wearing cloth masks over their nose and mouth in an attempt to filter out some of the fumes pouring out of vehicles and smoke stacks.

I was really blessed this past weekend to take a day trip up to the mountians with the McGills (the Morrison superintendent and his wife) and a few of the other new teachers. I'll be honest, I wasn't that excited about traveling up the mountian as 5:45 AM on Saturday morning when my alarm clock woke me up to get ready to go! But I dragged myself out of bed, knowing they were expecting me. Our trip had several legs. First, Christina (my teaching partner) and I took a 30 minute taxi ride to the High Speed Rail Station. Then, we boarded the HSR and zoomed at breakneck speed for another 30 minutes to the city of TaiChung. We left the train station by van with the McGills and headed out of the city toward the mountians. After twisting and turning on the steep and narrow mountian roads for an hour and a half, we had arrived at Sun Moon Lake. Steping out of the van I had to remind myself that I was still in Taiwan! The crowded streets were replaced with lush tropical vegetation. Instead of the noise of horns and engines and thousands of people living on top of one another, we heard the chirp of birds, the quiet laping of small waves on the shore, and the rustle of leaves as raindrops pattered down gently. I had almost forgotten that life could feel so peaceful! As we traveled further up the mountian, the air grew cleaner with each mile. Upon reaching the top we were greeted not only by some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever viewed, but also a glorious cool breeze! The humidity, heat, commotion, and clatter was miles away from where we were.

Isn't it just like God to bring me out of the pollution and noise of daily life in order to renew me! And isn't it just like me to kick and scream the whole way, not knowing a good thing when it is knocking at my door! As I stood there drinking in the cool clean air, I was struck that each day God wants me to take a trip up the mountian to be with him. In his presence the "noise and dirt" of life seem far away. The clatter is replaced by his peace. How often I miss out on the refreshment of a trip up the mountian with God. The things down in the valley seem so important, but God longs for us to pull ourselves away and follow him up the mountian each day as we spend time in prayer and in his word. He knows we need refreshment from the heat, the noise, the fumes of life! I hope this week we will all take God up on his offer of a trip up the mountian! If we are willing, God will make the trip worth the effort!!

Snails in my path

Have you ever had snails in your path?

I was practicing driving my friend Michelle's scooter the other day. It was my first time behind the wheel! I was nervous, but I had a huge empty parking lot all to myself. There wasn't another vehicle or person in sight. It was just me and the "open road"! On my first spin around the parking lot I noticed something very large out of the corner of my eye.... a huge five inch long snail inside an enormous shell was slithering along beside me. I was very busy concentrating on keeping the scooter upright, but I did take note of the slow and slimy fellow. Michelle's scooter is a big one, and it was my maiden voyage on a motorbike of any kind, so I was a little shaky on the steering and turning portion of my first lesson. Going in a straight line was easy enough, but steering and turning the roaring machine wasn't my strong suit. As I made my second pass around the parking lot, I rememberd the large snail coming up. No problem, I thought, I'll just go around it. Easier said than done! As I approached I desperately tried to steer the bike away from the snail, but just like a missile aimed at it's target, that bike, with me on it, was on a collision course with the only other moving thing in the parking lot, the snail! Try as I may, I could not seem to veer left or right. After several seconds of fruitless efforts, and a few squeals and screams, I heard the sickening crunch beneath the scooter tires. Yes, I had managed to hit and kill the only living creature within 200 yards of me. It was a sad day for all, and did not leave me feeling very confident about my scooter driving abilities. I, however, faired much better than my poor slimy friend!

So, have you ever had snails in your path... those unexpected bumps in the road that you try to avoid, but in spite of your best efforts, put you on a collision course with tragedy, or frustration? Do you encounter those circumstances and people that shake your confidence and leave you with the unavoidable knowledge that you are not as in control as you thought you were?

Take heart! God knows about every snail that sits in your path. Snails never take him by surprise! And he has promised that ALL THINGS (including snails) work together for good for those that love him and are called according to his purpose! Snails will come and go, but the plans the Father has for his children will stand forever, and can't be altered by snails on the path!

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