It was the summer after fourth grade when my family took a trip out west for a church meeting my dad was attending. It was an emotional time as we were in the process of moving from Ohio to New Jersey and yet we had excitement over a trip. Five people loaded up in a five-passenger car and made the journey from eastern Ohio to the coast of California. We were each allowed one bag of fun items that had to be able to fit at our feet. As the “fun packet” was wearing thin and the daily drives were long, I tried to find a license plate from each state and began to recognize them due to their colors and designs far faster than I could read them.

I was only ten at the time and don’t remember many stops along the way, but there were two that stood out to me: The Painted Desert/Petrified Forest and The Grand Canyon. Driving through both the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest was such a beautiful thing for me. I had never seen anything like it before. The views were out of this world. How the rocks changed colors so quickly was stunning. The hills and cliffs that appeared out of the desert plains were amazing. It seemed to go on for miles. And, then, the logs of wood were just magnificent! I didn’t understand this place. How God made all of this was far beyond my understanding. Yet, through all my questions of how, there was something so peaceful about this place.

Here was a place that had been here for millions of years. That meant God had been here for millions of years. It was reassuring to know that God wasn’t going anywhere. Just knowing the presence of God had been present that long was like a healing balm on my soul when I felt alone during a move. At a time when I was questioning God with my “whys” of life and people, it was like He wrapped His arms around my ten-year-old self and said, “I’m always going to be here. You can count on me.”

For the past two days, my family visited the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest. This was my third time to see the views. As we got out of the car, I not only saw the breathtaking awe of God’s handiwork of stone, rock, and sand, but, this time, I saw my family in front of this awe-inspiring view and realized they were just as breathtaking. I became emotional again and felt the arms of my husband around me. I heard my kids making some of the same comments I remember thinking when I saw the sites for the first time. It was picture perfect.

There was a sense of completion as we were able to bring the kids back to a spot that so impacted me as a kid. There was a sense of faithfulness as I was reminded that God has always been there for me and I have been able to count on Him during far more stressful times than simply a move. Sometimes in life, we have to take a step back and see God in a new way. Sometimes nature allows us to do that. I’m thankful for the places that are so different than my norm that allow me to see God and His handiwork. I love serving a creative God. I love that He’s faithful and that I can count on Him! He’s a good, good Father! Happy Father’s Day, God!

© 2018 Susan M. Sims

Looking for a study for your teens? A new study is coming soon! Stay tuned!

Follow me on Twitter or Facebook.

Looking for a small group Bible study?

Look no further: Being Transparent: With Yourself, God, and Others with the Leader’s Discussion Guide!