Last weekend, my brother took my family out on a long adventure into the woods on our snowmobiles in the Blue Mountains of Oregon State. We had a grand time exploring new territory, improving our riding skills and enjoying the natural beauty and scenic views.
On our way back at the end of the day, however, we came upon a solo snowmobiler standing on the edge of a trail waving us down in desperation. Panicked and afraid, he poured out his story.
He had been riding through the woods with one other sled, ridden by a friend and his 9 year old daughter. He had lost them, and his friend was totally inexperienced in riding snowmobiles, let alone navigating the wild woods. My brother did his best to calm the guy down, and told him we’d look for the lost ones.
At first, suggestions ran wild that it would take hours and hours to find these two wandering out who knew where. It was the end of the day, and darkness was not far away.
I immediately calmed the internal fears wanting to take over, and prayed for a quick solution.
In my prayers, I knew that we lived in a universe of Mind, and that this all-knowing, all-wise Mind that encompassed us, knew where every single item in God’s creation resided. God knew the placement of every tree, every rock, every pine needle, every animal, and where those two riders were presently located. Everyone in the search party reflected the one Mind, and therefore knew what divine Mind knew. This knowledge of God, including awareness of where these two individuals were presently located, was present in our thinking, I was sure. So, it would be obvious to us where to look and find the man and the girl.
We all coordinated plans, and struck off into the woods on our search. I was at total peace, confident the situation would be resolved promptly. And, to our utter joy, about three minutes later we found the two putting around in the woods, not knowing what to do or where to go, and thrilled to see someone who knew where they were!
God sent us to them, and we escorted them back to safety.
The forlorn dad was very happy to see his daughter again!
My brother showing us how to ride on one ski…
Thanks so much for sharing such a wonderful proof of God’s Infinite Love. He takes care of all his ideas, whether they are aware of this or not.
This triggered something in my thought. In the current issue of the Journal, there is an article by Colleen Douglass, “Inspiration of Spirit”. There is one sentence in the article that caught my attention. She writes “….if you were 50 billion miles out in space, Spirit would already by there….”. This is a real thought “stretcher”.
Thanks for that inspirational story, Evan. Prayer works!
Your story reminds me of what transpired on “moving day” with our dog, Molly.
The movers informed me that since the door had to be left ajar for the furniture, etc. that I may want to put Molly behind “closed doors.” Well, with all the commotion and my mind on many things, I “promptly forgot!” Next thing I knew, when I remembered, Molly was “of course” gone!…being the hound dog that she is (1/2 black lab-1/2 beagle.
After my panicked state left me, I got quiet and prayed. I asked God to please, plain and simply, lead me to her. The neighborhood was completely surrounded by busy thoroughfares! I was very nervous but completely, earnestly, relying on God to direct my steps.
I backed out of the driveway and said, “God, which way do I turn the car?” The answer was clear. As I proceeded, praying all the while, it wasn’t more than a block, just around the bend, actually, and there she was in plain sight, lounging in the sun in someone’s side yard!
God is certainly, without question, “A very present help in trouble!”
I have never been so happy to see anyone…..except when me daughter was lost in Marshall Field’s years ago.