Sometimes, the path before us is easy to see and follow.
Jordan Pond Path in Acadia NP
Sunrise, Sunset
This sunset photo was taken on Cadillac Mountain in Acadia NP. It is the highest point on the East Coast. It is a famous place to watch sunrise because of the view and the fact that for half of the year, it is the first place in the US where you can see the sunrise.
Unfortunately, that also makes it a difficult place to watch the sunrise. The Park Service issues permits to drive to the top and the ones for sunrise sell out as soon as they become available.
I heard that sunset was just as spectacular as sunrise at the top but just not as popular. So we drove up in the late afternoon to watch the sunset. And it was certainly spectacular!
How often do we do something because it is what everyone else is doing?
Right Paths
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. In green pastures he makes me lie down; to still waters he leads me; he restores my soul. He guides me along right paths for the sake of his name. Psalms 23:1-3
(Photo: Carriage Trail, Acadia NP)
Patience
This is a photo of the Bar Island Trail, part of the Acadia National Park. At least, this is the location of the trail, but it happens to be disappearing underwater at the moment. It is only accessible during low tide. Good luck if you cross over to the island and don’t return before the tide rises!
God always answers our prayers, but not always when we expect an answer. Doors open and close, but often only in hindsight (if ever) does the timing make sense. Faith and patience go hand in hand.
Bubbles
This is a photo of Bubble Pond in Acadia National Park. I like that these rocks in the ponds look like they could be the bubbles. The actual Bubbles are hills, not visible in this photo. They stand about 800 high.
Bubbles could represent many different things in our lives: joys, blessings, trials, disappointments. Life is full of “bubbles”, some are big and some not. See them for what they are.
How Great!
Oh Lord, my God
When I, in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed
Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Songwriter: Stewart K Hine
(Photo: St Mary Lake, Glacier NP)
Trust
Blessed are those who trust in the Lord; the Lord will be their trust. They are like a tree planted beside the waters that stretches out its roots to the stream: It does not fear heat when it comes, its leaves stay green; In the year of drought it shows no distress, but still produces fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8
(Photo: Carriage trail bridge over New Duck Brook, Acadia NP)
Persistence
This is a photo of Beaver Ponds in Acadia NP. As we explored around the water, we saw this large beaver dam holding the water back.
Busy as a beaver. I’ve seen beavers at work and a more accurate phrase may be persistent as a beaver. I realize the alliteration is missing so it doesn’t have the same ring to it. But I’ve come to think of persistence as more of a virtue than busyness. Persistence implies an intentionality whereas busyness sounds like doing random things for the sake of being busy. Persistence also seems linked to another biblical virtue, patience.
Light
This is the Egg Rock Light Station; the island named for the abundance of seabirds’ nests and eggs found there. The original Light Station was built in 1875. The current lantern house was built in 1986; there is also a separate fog station building which dates to 1904.
We are called to be light for the world. Light to provide guidance, sometimes in the form of warning. But always to show God’s love.
Gifts
“We cannot do everything, and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well.” (Oscar Romero)
God has given each of us different gifts. Let us strive to realize ours gifts and use them to glorify God.
(Photo: Southwest Harbor, Maine)
Signs Along the Way 