It was the final extended trip of the year for us. The exclamation point on our year of travels. We were in the mountains of East Tennessee, as we usually are at this time in the Fall of the year. A nine day trip filled with multiple events. Our annual Tennessee District UPCI Ministers’ Retreat, and several days of motorcycle riding with friends, bookended between two weekends of ministry.

It was Monday, November 4th, and we were riding the ROARING FORK MOTOR NATURE TRAIL with several of our TenPen Riders. The mountain vistas were breathtaking in their autumn foliage. I was taking photos of the broad canvas masterpiece God had painted. That’s when I heard him whisper into my spirit, “Look closer.”

As we rode along, attempting to be obedient to the unction of the Spirit, I began snapping shots of closer objects. Boulders, rock ledges and the overhead canopy of tree branches. The images were still pretty good even though we were on the move. The familiar voice came again, ever so clearly, “Look closer.”

Again, out of obedience, I continued snapping photos close to the roadway we were traveling. A meandering mountain brook. A hollow tree stump blanketed in green velvet. A jaunty tuft of ferns. These images, however, were blurry because we were on the move. No matter how many I took, they were either distorted, or I didn’t actually capture what I was aiming for in the shot. I began a silent lament, “Lord, I can’t get a good shot because we’re moving too fast.” To which He immediately replied, “That’s right. You can’t see the blessings closest to you when you’re moving so fast.”

I knew without question what He was referring to. Even in this week of spiritual highs, and making memories with dear friends, I was exhausted, both physically and mentally. I purposed in my mind to write a devotion about what God had revealed to me…just as soon as I had the time. 

I silently prayed the prayer which was destined to change the trajectory of my immediate future. “Lord, you know I would slow down if I could. You also know I don’t really have a lot of control over my schedule.”  The words He impressed in my spirit left me wondering whether I really wanted to know the solution He had in mind…

”Oh, I can take care of that.”

Four days later, we had come to the end of our allotted riding days, and would transition back into the second weekend of ministry before making our way home to West Tennessee. We made a visit to the special place at the entrance of the Great Smokey Mountain National Park which my husband’s mother, Linda, always loved. It’s right by the Welcome to the Smokey Mountains sign where we stopped and took photos, as we always do. We walked down into the riverbed, retelling the stories that my sweet mother-in-love had often conveyed to us of how her father had brought her here when she was a little girl.

I was taking photos of the scenery, and noticed several stacks of rocks in the riverbed that someone had taken the time to carefully erect. It made for a wonderful shot, but I decided I could get an even better one if I stepped on a few rocks to get a better angle. The rocks were only a few inches high, but they were a bit slippery. We had also hiked up to CLINGMAN’S DOME a few hours earlier, so my legs were like noodles. Still, it was going to be the best photo of all…

It’s amazing how quickly situations can change. One second I was up. The next, I was flat on my back in the riverbed with water running around my head and into my ears. I immediately thought my leg was broken, as I had never felt that kind of pain before. My husband rushed over, and pulled me up to a standing position. It quickly became obvious that he wasn’t going to be able to get me back up the bank by himself. Thankfully, several hikers came by at just that moment, and offered assistance. It took my husband and three random strangers to haul me up out of the riverbed. 

Here’s a humorous “twist” to the story. (Pun intended) I can only imagine how pitiful I must have looked. We had been riding the motorcycle, so I was wearing a skullcap, which my grey hair was whisping out from in all directions. I was muddy, wet and wearing a skirt with leggings. I’m sure these good Samaritans had never seen the likes. I could tell from the way they were speaking to me as they were heaving me up the bank, they thought I was elderly. When we finally made it to the road level, one asked, “Okay, Hon, can we help you to your car?”  They began to look around for an ancient sedan suitable for such an old grandma. My husband quickly replied, “No, we’re on that bike right there.”  They were shocked into complete and utter silence. Crickets. 🦗 🦗 🦗

A trip to the ER revealed my leg was indeed broken. It could have been much worse. There was no protruding, nor misaligned bones. Only a clean, spiral break just above the ankle. It was enough to solve the problem I was lamenting to the Lord about. In one divine moment, I had no other option but to slow down and heal. 

[bctt tweet=”“Being busy for God isn’t always being productive for Him.”” username=”patvickdotcom”]

The holidays came and went during my eight week convalescence. I put up minimal decorations, and entertained none at all. I did, however, have plenty of focused time for prayer, writing and squeezing grand boys. I was able for the first time in a long time to “look closer” at the blessings God has gifted me. 

Realizing my situation was a God-ordained lesson, I determined to learn what He was teaching.

10 LESSONS I LEARNED THE HARD WAY

1. Time is precious. Use it wisely.

2. Words matter. Pray as specifically as possible.

3. Don’t complain to God, and expect Him to do nothing.

4. When you ask God to fix a problem, keep an open mind over how He chooses to do it.

5. When God chooses an uncomfortable path for you, determine to not be offended at Him.

6. Down time can be productive prayer time.

7. Family members are our greatest blessings. Take time to appreciate them.

8. Make time to slow down or God will maneuver the universe to alter your course.

9. Be thankful for every blessing in your life.

10. Building relationships is more important than going, doing and having.

11. (BONUS!) Being busy for God isn’t always being productive for Him.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. What are the blessings God is asking you to slow down and appreciate?

2. What have you recently complained to God about?

3. Is it something in your power to fix?

4. What lessons has God taught you the hard way?

 

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Warm Regards,

-Pat