With my camera in hand, I headed off toward the path that led into the woods. At the start of the trail I heard a distant voice behind me calling my name. It was Martine. She needed a forest walking partner and asked if she could come along. Of course she could join me; but I warned her that my focus would be on the flora and fauna of the forest and I wouldn't be a great companion for conversation. That was OK with her. She just didn't want to walk alone.
The forest was everything I had expected and more. We found unexpected treasures scattered along the way - some of which I posted in my photo album titled, "Retreat Center and Treasures in the Forest." The woods were enchanting and I felt richly blessed to be on this journey through yet another of God's wonderful and awesome creations - the dense woods of Rainbow Lodge Retreat Center in North Bend, Washington.
We were in the midst of the thick woods when I suddenly became overwhelmed by the things of the forest. My lungs began to shut down. It happened that quickly and without warning. An avalanche of realities slapped me very hard during that frightening moment. In my eager quest to capture the forest scenes, I had foolishly forgotten some very important facts and issues: (1) I have asthma. (2) I left my inhaler in my backpack which was still at the lodge. (3) My cell phone was also at the lodge and I had no way of calling for help. (4) I have absolutely no sense of direction. I might have gotten lost in the forest if it had not been for Martine who has a very keen sense of direction.
Martine proved to be of more worth as the seconds dragged by. She saw that I was in trouble and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“My lungs are shutting down,” I gasped. “I have asthma and I left my inhaler behind.
Martine reached for something in her pocket and produced an albuterol inhaler. “I have asthma too,” she said. Use mine.”
My airways opened again with the first puff of the inhaler. Relief was only a breath away.
Martine also had her cell phone with her and had walked the forest during the previous day and knew the paths well. We headed out of the forest as soon as I had regained my strength to make the journey. This time, Martine took the lead. However, I was still a bit shaken by the experience and it took a few moments for me to settle back into that place of inner peace.
As we walked across a mossy bridge that spanned a little brook, I spotted a heart-shaped rock on the muddy bank. I pick it up and studied it for a moment. It was covered with mud. Kathy, who had caught up with us on the trail, was closest to the brook so she volunteered to wash the mud from the rock in the icy cold water. Such a loving gesture!
The rock reminded me of the Greatest Treasure that is always with me – even when I do foolish things. That greatest treasure is God’s incredible love, demonstrated in so many ways:
When I wandered off alone in an overly eager quest; and foolishly forgot some very important live-saving factors, He was there watching over me.
When Martine called my name, He was there giving me a companion to help me through the trouble ahead.
As I struggled with that first labored breath in the woods and when Martine handed me her inhaler, He was there showing His care for me.
When I spotted the rock resting on the bank, He was there teaching me another lesson.
When Kathy washed the mud from the rock in the frigid stream, He was there reminding me that though the mud of life often splatters us He washes us clean again.
There is so much more to this story. I love when God teaches me in these ways and continues to love me and guide me through my foolish times.
The rock sits on my desk and serves as a reminder of that time in the forest. It’s not a perfect heart-shaped rock. Rough and pitted places dot the surface of the rock and a deep brown scar cuts across its face. But it is beautiful. And as I hold it in my hand, I contemplate its journey - rolling, tumbling, and tossing along rivers, streams, and brooks; and smashing into other rocks that break off pieces at just the right places in order to form it into a heart-shaped rock. This beautiful forest rock could not have been shaped in any other way.
We are each as this rock with its rough and pitted places. We are still being shaped by life’s lessons while being blessed by the greatest treasure of all: God’s amazing love and grace.
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