Well, we are headed home tomorrow from our latest trip to the Greenbrier. It’s been a busy fall and winter; although we usually make it out here for my birthday around President’s Day, we were just too tied up with doctors and tests to make that date. So… we decided to make the trek this week.
We were fortunate to be able to get Hank in to the Farm where he always stays while we are gone. He has his own set of canine friends there and loves to romp with them which is something that he can’t do when he is home with us. We dropped him off at 9:15 Sunday morning and were off for wild, wonderful West Virginia.
As soon as we start on the road after dropping Hank off, I can actually feel my stress level dropping and it’s like we are returning “home.” We don’t have a literal home in West Virginia, but we know so many people and have such great memories we just view it as a haven for us where the problems of the world just fade away.
That peace was almost shattered late afternoon Sunday as we passed through the mountains south of Charleston, WV on the way to Beckley. Luckily, our navigation system informed me that there was an accident ahead and it suggested an alternative route. Now remember, you are deep in the mountains and it’s not like there are 42 alternatives. We decided to take a chance and ended up having an opportunity to see another slice of the beautiful wooded mountains in this beautiful state. We ended up getting back on 64 East and found ourselves in the last half mile or so of traffic. Clearly, we were very fortunate.
It turned out that a truck had overturned, hit the median and caught on fire. Traffic was at a standstill for more than six miles in each direction. Luckily, we saved about two hours of down time sitting in traffic by trusting the navigation alternative. Others who were headed to the Greenbrier confirmed that they sat for hours waiting for the fire to be put out and the wreck cleared. Since the accident occurred in the median, lanes were closed in both directions. It was horrific.
I have to admit that my peace was in jeopardy. However, we made it though, stopped for a short time at the travel and artist center in Beckley; and then headed to our final destination, our beloved Greenbrier. Somehow, all is right with the world when we finally arrive. We got our usual room, unpacked and sat down to chill out after almost ten hours on the road.
Monday morning we enjoyed our traditional breakfast in the main dining room, walked through the lower level shops checking out new arrivals since our last visit and then I had a date to go fishing with James, a friend and guide I have fished with for more than 25 years now.
We visit some private streams where I fish with James and there’s nothing like being in the wilderness, miles from everything, enjoying incredible scenery and catching the largest trout I have ever seen. We get together twice a year and there’s something magical and serene about the entire afternoon.
James and I talk about our families, old times catching huge trout, the beauty of God’s creation and all sorts of things going on in the world. Janet stays back at the resort and is so comfortable there that the times passes quickly for her. She did join me once to experience the beauty of the wilderness while landing her first brown trout but she enjoys her favorite haunts and it gives her an afternoon talking with familiar friends or visiting the spa. It’s usually a great afternoon for both of us.
Tomorrow morning we head home, refreshed and ready to tackle the next chores getting ready for spring. We will get Hank on the way and our little family will be back together in time for a late dinner.
Our verse for tonight is from the book of Job. In the twelfth chapter, Job replies to one of his friends who has been questioning him about why his life has been so difficult. As you may know, God had allowed Satan to attack Job, but Satan was not allowed to kill Job. Three of Job’s friends believe that he must have sinned or done something wrong to receive this horrible treatment.
Job, ever mindful of and loyal to God, his faith never wavering, responds in our verse from Job 12:7-10, “But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”
Job makes it plain that God created everything and every living creature knows it! When I am out in the rural areas of the state, I take great solace in this verse. My encouragement this evening is that God created everything – the cosmos and everything in it! My prayer is that we will all take time to appreciate the divine handiwork of God. And to think that this all has been created for us – who have been created in His image! Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…