Serendipity: Stumbling into delight.

I just got back from visiting my Mom and Dad. My mom has cancer and is about to begin a very aggressive treatment consisting of radiation and chemotherapy. So, Carolyn and the kids and I went to Colorado to provide a little cheer and support for Mom and Dad at Thanksgiving.

Now, you might think that this would be a somber time of reflection and wistfulness over the unfairness of life and missed opportunities, but it was nothing like that at all. In fact, it was a time of refreshing and renewal.

The first day, I got up early and walked down to the lake. They live on the front range of the Rocky Mountains and the beauty is almost impossible to describe with mere words. The lake was a mirror and filled with a few ducks, countless Canadian Geese, and a lone Crane that must have somehow been left behind. The mountains were snow capped and reflected on the still waters.

It was in this setting that I enjoyed a quiet walk with our Creator. I removed my hat and prayed. At first I just thanked Him for the glory that He was sharing with me that morning. Then, of course, I prayed for Mom... and for Dad... and for all of us - that He would give us the strength we need to get through this challenging time.

And I know He will because God has never let my family down - not one time in our entire lives. Later, I got to really visit with both my parents. My Dad is still deeply in love with Mom and has all of the concerns and questions that you might expect - but he knows that God is in control. And my Mom? I don't believe I ever even saw the hint of a tear or doubt as she talked about what she was going through. You see, Mom is not just a Christian, she is a believer! She knows that no one has ever made it out of this life alive, but she also knows that God has something incredible awaiting those who will just be faithful.

So, I came away from Colorado blessed. I did not experience a week of what one might have expected with a mother who was suffering the ravages of cancer. There were few tears and absolutely no signs of worry over the difficult road ahead. Instead, there was hope and determination and a faithful expectation that God would do exactly the right thing.

I think that the word "serendipity" was made for such occasions. I came face to face with God's power and beauty and love, and quite unexpectedly stumbled into delight.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places: Surely I have a delightful inheritance. Psalm 16:6, NIV