Chapter Twenty Nine

Twenty Nine

Grace Cottage

Six Weeks Later

Each Doctor visit was positive and everything appeared to be proceeding nicely. Doctor Bourbon was quite pleased and praised Sandy frequently for her commitment to her diet, exercise and lack of coffee. 

“Sandy, you'll be okay. I promise.” Oliver encouraged his rapidly expanding wife whose complaints of late had been more about her unfulfilled desires for great coffee than about the generally uncomfortable condition she was in as she sought to carry these three little ones to full term.

“I know, I know,” Sandy replied looking at Oliver with a strained smile. “I think I'm ready for this pregnancy to be over.”

“Me too, babe.”

“Look, I think I'm going to bundle up and go for a little walk. Do you know how long it has been since I went on a run?”

“You've got your phone on you, right?” asked a concerned Oliver.

“Yes, dear.”

“It's charged all the way?”

Looking down at the little screen, Sandy confirmed it was at 83% charge. “I'm sure it’ll carry me for a 20 minute walk. Besides in the shape I'm in, I doubt if I'll get out of your sight! I'll be back in a bit.” Sandy waddled down the steps of Grace Cottage and stepped into the cold winter day. “Man, I wish I had a strong, hot cup of Demetrius' best,” she thought to herself.

Although the Grace's had only been on the island less than six months, they'd grown to love Paine Harbor as if it were their home. Sandy had told Oliver numerous times how much she loved her walks because “I get to see God's handiwork differently every day! The colors of the sky, the water and the cliffs are never the same twice!” They'd discussed the spiritual revival which was occurring in their own lives, in their marriage and in what they were witnessing happening on the island. “This is truly remarkable,” Oliver had said just last night.

Feeling better than she'd imagined, Sandy decided to push herself a bit and to walk a little faster than usual. Stretching out her tight calf muscles felt good, and reminded her of days when she'd run for miles and miles around the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Dreaming of home, she wondered what the temperature would be today. Grabbing her iPhone she spoke to the device, “what's the weather in Los Angeles today?”

“It's sunny and warm. 82° with warm winds from the north. Zero percent chance of rain.” The phone replied intelligently.

“Wow.” Sandy smiled. Speaking to her phone again, she asked, “What's the weather in Paine Harbor?”

“Cold. Button up. A high of 21° and low of negative 3°. 100% chance of snow before dark.”

“Brrhhh.” Sandy sighed while making sure her overcoat was buttoned all the way to her neck. Looking to the east side of the island she saw nasty looking dark clouds several miles off shore, heading towards Paine Harbor. “I'd better not stay out here too long, I'd hate to get caught up in that mess!”

As Sandy walked, she reflected upon the glorious things they'd seen God do in so many lives in Paine Harbor. Andi had told her these kinds of changes are supposed to be normal Christian living, but sadly they've become rare in the Western world because so many people couldn't accept the miraculous, mistakenly thinking it was at odds with modern science and reason. Their faith had been watered down by trying to find scientific answers to every question rather than simply adopting what Jesus called child-like faith. Sadly, many Western churches had abandoned the power of God because of doubt caused by the relentless demands of the modern cult of rationalism. Unable to find answers, they walked away from faith and replaced it with empty traditions and attempts to create a social utopia through good works. 

But as Sandy thought about the amazing things they'd observed her heart leapt in joy. “I'm so glad we are here to witness this,” she thought. “I've never seen anything like it before.”

“No, you haven't,” came the unexpected response from the Voice. “But this is only the beginning for you, dear one. Only the beginning.”

Realizing immediately this was special moment, Sandy asked, “What do you mean, 'only the beginning'?” 

“I mean, simply this, you can never go back to old way you did faith before. You've tasted and seen glories you never thought were possible. You've watched the miraculous in action so do you think you can you ever be satisfied with anything less again? In fact, greater things are coming.”

“Greater things.” Sandy said reflectively.

“And, remember the prophecies concerning your children. They are going to be world-changers. And you and Oliver get to raise them, train them, equip them and pray for them. You'll never be the same little Pasadena girl you used to be.”

“That's good,” Sandy replied thoughtfully as she walked along the eastern edge of the island watching the fishing boats. “I don't want to go back. I don't miss that girl. I like what I'm learning to experience, and I like how I see God working in and through me. I've never been this fulfilled.”

The Voice pointed out an ocean going container ship a mile or so off shore, and said, “Sandy, see that ship? You don't know where it's going, or where it's coming from. All you can see is that it is laden down with its cargo and is riding low in the water under the weight.”

“Yes, I see that.”

“That is a picture of how many Christians live their lives. Burdened and riding low.”

Sandy stopped walking and simply stared at the distant ship, thinking carefully about what she’d heard. “You know,” she said as she turned, “That is a fair description of me in the not too distant past. I felt if I were to be a 'serious' Christian, I had to be burdened and I couldn't be buoyant or joyful. I felt guilty when I was really happy, like maybe I was doing something wrong.”

“I know. You and millions like you. When I said you couldn’t go back, this is part of it. I’m going to use you in greater ways than you can imagine, and you don't need to worry or wonder about it or concern yourself with how I’m going to do. Shake off the burden and ride high in life! Enjoy the life you’ve been given. I’ll bring you to the places and people that need what you have. You can count on that. Just rest. Enter into Shalom peace. Stop trying so hard. I’m in control, and I can do what I want to do through you without turning you into a spiritual sourpuss!”

Pausing to give Sandy time to process what she was hearing, the Voice continued. “There are three things I want you to focus on. First, remember I’m good. Second, remember I love. I am love personified. My love never wavers and isn't based upon your performance. And lastly, remember I’ve got your back. I’m on your side. You are walking in my favor.”

“You are good. You’re love, and You are on my side.” 

“Yes, these three things are vital. As you build your life upon these realities, everything will come into clarity and focus.”

“I can see that. Because You are good, bad things that happen are never 'Your will'. Right?”

“Spot on.”  

“And because You love me, regardless of what others do to me, it really doesn't matter. I'm loved. Which means I'm safe and than I can walk through life. I can go through giving birth to these babies, even through the challenges we will face raising them! And I am to expect Your favor to guide me, to help us and to open the right doors!”

“Exactly. And here is the key to all of this; you've got a choice to make. You can choose to believe or you can choose to doubt. The choice you make will determine the outcome you receive. Choose to believe. I know you will. And you'll never be the same!”

It was then a huge clap of thunder shook the ground. “You’d better head home, Oliver will be a mess worrying about you!”