This summer I wore running shoes and Birkenstock’s sandals more than ANY other shoes. This may not be of concern for many people, but for a gal who loves shoes it was strange. I traveled to Newfoundland, in the northeast of Canada, for two weeks with my family — a place everyone wanted to go… except me.
I knew it was a beautiful place, but also had heard of the cooler temperatures, that for my tropical blood was less than enticing. However, I had to live out what I preach to my kids: we need to support, make allowances for each other. This was my husband’s wish.
We packed two travel trailers, two trucks and my car. I downloaded the latest Latin album ( Despacito anyone?), and set off for what seemed like an endless road trip. I confess I was a little worried I would lose my cool after a while. I simply need alone time to recharge and there was none of that in the agenda for this trip. I reached out to my peeps and implored their prayers for a heat wave of Grace.

There are many beautiful places in Newfoundland. At times it was overwhelming. On one side there were raging waves of the Atlantic Ocean, so blue and abundant in white sea foam. On the other side millions year-old tablelands that were once buried, and now tower over us by hundreds of feet.

Mossy fields and brooks all around. Rocky cliffs gave way to views too hard to describe with words. I kept trying to open my eyes wider, and not blink as much.
My words were few. It is simply stunning. My brain couldn’t quite process the magnificent creation surrounding us. One night I looked up to the sky, and there were SO many stars that I slipped off my sandals, and just stood barefoot, looking up for a long time. It was a light show that made fireworks pale in comparison.

Western Pond fjords.

We took a cruise in the fjords. It was a morning filled with awestruck wonder. The guide explained how old these mountains were, how animals traveled through them, and across the water in the winter. We saw “art” created by nature in the form of faces carved into rocks. There were a couple of water falls tucked into folds of the mountains. I watched with envy as a couple of adventurers were being dropped at the other side of the Western Pond. They were about to take a two day hike in the wilderness, away from the noise of the world.

Iceberg at Bridgepoint Harbour, NL. July 15/2017

Traveling to Twillingate we saw more amazing views of the ocean and rock formations. This was barely a peek of the beauty awaiting us. The evening we arrived, our hosts took us for a twenty minute drive to see an iceberg. This huge ice mountain leaves its spectators speechless. It is hard to imagine what they must look like underneath, where ninety percent of its mass remains. The locals explained to us it takes about seven years for the iceberg to arrive along their coasts after they break from the Artic. The ice water that builds to form this massive iceberg is over a million years old.

I could go on for pages about the beauty of Newfoundland. So here are a few things I’ve been pondering since our trip. God speaks loudly through nature.

• My Creator’s sense of time has NOTHING to do with mine. He has His own speed, and His creation cannot be rushed or adjusted to ANY expectations.
• There are things my mind cannot understand, but I can enjoy, even love them. Things like fjords and crushing sounds of the ocean, which can feel peaceful or frightening.
• Elements can thrive close by, yet not compete, like a fresh water pond, and the coastline with a sandy beach and soft waves. I wonder where humans get the idea that comparing or competing is a good exercise? It is absurd how we deny our gifts at times, just because we want to be like someone else.
• I am a tiny speck and a big deal all at once. This is hard to fathom. On one hand My Creator regards us as His finest product, the one made in His image, and with whom He wants communion. On the other hand, standing in front of the hundred feet tall mountains with mesmerizing scenery and the immensity of the ocean with its roaring sound, one cannot help but feel insignificant.
• Love does not have to be understood. It has to be given, felt and enjoyed. Just like nature.

Clark’s Beach, NL. July 16/2017

That last one has occupied a lot of my thoughts in the past few months. How do I love people when I don’t understand their perspective or choices? It is easy to love those who think like us or act like us, or look like us (or love shoes like I do). But real love, I believe, is when we decide to love people that are different from us. Choosing to love people regardless of our inability to understand their situations is a brave act. It puts down our pride and creates this space where we are simply embracing each other, like the pond and the ocean.

This idea of loving people and doing love reminded me that it is not difficult IF I follow what I was commanded to do: Love God and Love people. It did not say “understand God” or “understand people.”

If I follow through, loving God means to surrender to His perfect Will, even when it doesn’t make sense to me. I can trust His will is perfect and tailored for me. To love my neighbor I need to remember they are God’s creation too. They are to be respected and loved. God loves them just like He loves me.
The minute I forget who I am and who God is, I inevitably stumble in fulfilling my purpose. I don’t want to make this a habit! After all my time here is short compared to the tablelands, so I have LOVE to do!

Do love and shoes!

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV