The Shadow Of My Porch Swing - The Presence Of God - Part 2Shembull

WHITE SANDS WIPE-OUT

It’s been five days and six National parks, yet the question we’ve heard daily is ‘when will we be at White Sands?’ They cannot wait! I must say that behind the surface level of annoyance at answering for the twentieth time, I’m giddy about taking my boys to a childhood memory of mine. At age nine, I flew out for an alone trip with my Mamá in Las Cruces, New Mexico. We traipsed around the region to Alamogordo, Ruidoso, Cloudcroft and White Sands. Twenty-eight years later, I still remember the expanse of sand and the excitement of plummeting down the side of a pure white sand dune. 

As we set out from Phoenix, seven travel-hours loomed ahead of us...plus a time change. Wanting to arrive by 3:00pm in order to complete their Junior Ranger program and also play; we bypass stops, eat in the van and have a diaper event (use your imagination).

Upon arrival, we are gifted two extra sled discs by college kids exiting the park which allows each boy to have their own. What a blessing. White Sands does not disappoint with a breathtaking view, puffy clouded skies, and shimmering mountains surrounding us. Kicking off flip-flops they race to the top, unaware a storm’s brewing just over that ridge. As the boys giggle and goof off, dropping down the dune faces, unwanted drops begin to join us. First on the ground, then down their faces. Rain turns to tears as disappointment overshadows our outing.  

Seeking shelter becomes our reason to head back to the visitor center, complete their books, pick out badges and wait out the storm. While the temperature drops and the sky grows black, I feel a cold breeze sweep across my heart. This wasn’t in the plan. 

Chris is an expert at making lemonade out of these two lemon hours, so he ushers the boys into the van to video the dramatic lightning strikes surrounding us. New cries of awe fill my ears while we watch the bright white and orange streaks flicker and dance across the sky. God’s beauty is still breathtaking. I just needed a different perspective.  

Then it happens, a light breaks thru in the distance. Fifteen minutes down the road before us could be our ticket to another adventure. A choice must be made. Stay and sulk or move forward. We choose to set out in pursuit of the unknown.

What we find exceeds expectations. Wet packed sand and plowed ridges, perfect for sledding jumps. Much colder temperatures and wind, perfect for bundling up in our coats. Flips, flops and wipe-outs perfect for belly laughter. And so our storm brought with it a much richer experience of life on the other side. We just had to keep looking for the sun.

How does your perspective need to change today? What would be different if you chose to take a step of faith toward the unseen?

Father, thank you for never leaving me. Even when the storm clouds my vision, you are still shining. Give me a new perspective today and encouragement to keep looking toward your Son.