The Promises Continue

About a week after God began pouring out His blessings, we were in the Bahamas for vacation. It was a much-needed break from everything going on at home, and by the end of the week, I was already dreading coming back home. We had chosen to stay on Grand Bahama Island instead of Nassau so that we could have some peace and quite. The weather had been dreary and cloudy most of the week, and we had not gotten to get out as much as we had hoped. But we were still able to watch the ocean, listen to the waves lapping against the beach, and breathe in the pureness of the air. On the last day, even though the weather had not really cleared, Raquel and I decided to go parasailing. It was going to be our last opportunity and she did not want to miss out on anything before she had to go back home to Brazil.

Image by FullyFunctnlPhil via FlickrWe made reservations to go out with a private group early in the afternoon. I was a bit hesitant about going because I was already feeling a little light-headed, along with the little fact that I am terrified (and I mean that quite literally) of both heights and water, and I don't know how to swim. But I knew that I had faced this fear once before, so I could do it again for her. As we got into the boat, the wind was picking up and the waters were very choppy. I began to think that we were not even going to be allowed to try to go up. But we were blessed with an experienced crew. They took us out through the canal and into the ocean past all the commercial areas. Quel quickly harnessed up and was soon flying 600 feet above the ground. Because it was just the two of us, they let her sail for about 20 minutes.

Then my turn came. My legs were trembling as I tried to walk up to be harnessed to the sail. All my memories of my first experience came flooding back. The sounds of the ropes and pulleys creaking and groaning. The bouncing. The quick backwards jerk as they released the winch.  Suddenly, I was 600 feet up in the air. The fear that had overwhelmed me eleven years ago was nowhere to be found. Instead, I found a peace that I had never experienced. The captain turned the boat in such a way that all I could see was miles of water and empty shore. My entire being was filled with peace. I looked out over the shore and repeated the desire that I have so often, "Father, how I long to be able to live in the quiet and peace. In a place where there is no one around. Not for all time, but for a private retreat." And I heard Him say, "Look there, my child. Do you see that point? Do you see the curve of the shore? As I promised Abraham, I am promising you. All that you see is yours." I immediately began to justify the thoughts and clarify it with opinions that something similar would be nice, but He repeated again that this specific point was mine, to be used for His glory.

Later that day, I looked up some local maps and found the specific property. As I looked at the tracts, I saw that it was for sale. I continued to search, realizing that all of the property that I had seen was available for purchase. I still do not know how God is going to provide the funds, but I have decided to step out in faith and believe that He has promised this to me, and He will provide it.