Last week I found myself either lounging on a white sandy beach, snorkeling under the clear blue water, kayaking with a dear friend, eating fresh salmon on the deck of the Norwegian Sky for breakfast or strolling in the Botanical Gardens. Last week I found myself doing things I’ve never done before. Things I’ve dreamed of for so long.
At 19 I was taken. I was taken with Christ and His beauty and His wonder. I fell in love, and discovered a love I never knew existed. In all of my excitement and child-like wonder, I freely gave Him my heart which included all of the dreams and hopes that were safely locked inside. And as the years rolled by, I discovered another side of Him. Not only was He my Lover and Father and Lamb. But He was my Teacher, and Instructor, and Lion. In knowing the Lion, I found that many of the desires of my heart were not to be met for some time.
I will be honest and say, I lost hope that they would be met at all.
But last week so many dreams came to fruition. I experienced so many “firsts”. Only Christ could have known what was in the secret crevices of the chambers of my heart. Only He could have give me those firsts. The funny thing is I almost missed the opportunity. When my friend called me and offered to bless me with this trip, I characteristically declined. In my very frugal and practical way, I shared my financial concerns. Thankfully, my friend is adventurous and not as practical as I am. She is the essence of “carpe diem”.
