The view sold this house. I walked into the living room, newly pregnant with the news of twins, and was captivated by what I saw in the window. On that crystal-blue day, I could see the rise and fall of the Olympic Mountains and the calm tranquility of the Pacific Ocean as it worked its way through the fingers of the Puget Sound. I could see trees where eagles sit and a valley hued in purples and blues. I could not take my eyes away long enough to notice the mint-green paint in the kitchen or the outdated gold light fixture above the table. It did not really matter when the house came with a view like that.
Nearly five years later, I have not grown tired of looking out my window at all that can be seen of this world. It is comforting and peaceful to be able to see so far, to know all that can be seen in miles and miles of looking.
But today, the view was hidden. The fog unfolded off the ocean like the fabric of a veil, keeping common things from sight, hiding both the known and the unknown. The valley below us descended into deep uncertainty.
Today, I was living behind a veil.
All my certainty faded away and I felt a little bit like a child, longing to see in the dark. I wanted the comfort of living on a mountaintop, but I was in the valley.
Some seasons of motherhood are like that, when the fog clouds my vision and I can only see in vague shapes and shadows. My eyes strain to focus, to deduce clarity from the dimness. But it is not there.
I wonder, some days, if I’m walking in the right direction, or if I’m making any progress. When the children fall into the same old fight or I find myself muddled by some unconquered sin, when my mind is filled with more questions than answers and I can’t even imagine how all this is going to turn out right, I wonder. How can I keep walking where I cannot see?
On those dark and uncertain days, when I cannot see where the next step leads and I feel uncertain in my footing, it is good to know that my destination is secure. I grab onto that when I can’t grab on to anything else. I am heir to a promise that one day, I will see clearly. One day I will know without shadows, understand without doubt, and see from one limitless horizon to the other.
But for now, when the fog settles in and I cannot walk where I feel most secure, I rest in the knowledge that what I know to be true does not change just because I can’t see it. The mountains are still there. The ocean is still there. And God is still there. Sometimes, His face is hidden so I can see His hand, leading and guiding me over the unfamiliar terrain and around the obstacles I cannot see.
I look before me and I cannot see the road. But it is okay to walk where I cannot see because it is not my eyes I trust.
I trust in the One who sets my feet upon a rock.
I trust in the One who makes shadows flee.
I trust in the One who tears the veil.
I don’t remember all of the words to the song that this reminds me of but part of it says, “But I know who holds the future, and I know He holds my hand.”
That is very true. I’m trying to think of it and all I get is an old Gaither song stuck in my head and now I can’t change the channel to try to think of the right one!
Name of the song is “I don’t know about tomorrow”
Correction on my last post..
Name of the song is ” I know Who holds tomorrow”
Thank you! I’m glad someone else could think of it!
“Every step is getting brighter as the golden stairs I climb. Every burden is getting lighter; every cloud is silver lined. Though the path that be my portion may be through the flame or flood, yet today I’ll walk beside Him for I’m covered by His blood.” The last verse. A favorite of mine. :>)
Oh, that is beautiful. Thank you for sharing that! I think I’m going to have to photoshop those words over one of the misty pictures I took.
The fog and mist are so depressing if we think only of them….Think of what is to come, and rejoice!!! The fog will lift, the joy will come, Hallelujah to the Lord, for HE is Here!!!
Amen to that!
Anne, the song you were thinking was I Know Who Holds Tomorrow..
I don’t know about tomorrow;
I just live from day to day.
I don’t borrow from its sunshine
For its skies may turn to grey.
I don’t worry o’er the future,
For I know what Jesus said.
And today I’ll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.
Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.
Every step is getting brighter
As the golden stairs I climb;
Every burden’s getting lighter,
Every cloud is silver-lined.
There the sun is always shining,
There no tear will dim the eye;
At the ending of the rainbow
Where the mountains touch the sky.
Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.
I don’t know about tomorrow;
It may bring me poverty.
But the one who feeds the sparrow,
Is the one who stands by me.
And the path that is my portion
May be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me
And I’m covered with His blood.
Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand…
If you were preaching this message in a church I would be shouting AMEN!
for Anne
I KNOW WHO HOLDS TOMORROW
By Ira F. Stanphill
I don’t know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day;
I don’t borrow from its sunshine, For its skies may turn to gray.
I don’t worry over the future, Fore I know what Jesus said;
And today I’ll walk beside Him, For He knows what is a head.
Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.
Every step is getting brighter As the golden stairs I climb;
Every burden’s getting lighter, Every cloud is silver lined.
There the sun is always shining, There no tear will dim the eye,
At the ending of the rainbow. Where the mountains touch the sky,
Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.
I don’t know about tomorrow, It may bring me poverty;
But the one who feeds the sparrow Is the one who stands by me.
And the path that is my portion May be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me And I’m covered with His blood.
Many things about tomorrow
I don’t seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand.
Thank you for taking the time to look that up and post it! I’ll make sure she sees it.
Wow, what a view! Didn’t realize that you get to see this everyday. I think I need to come and visit you and catch up! Would love to get out your way some day. Have never been in that area before.
Very good writing today. I really can understand.
So true! As I have walked through the fog these last few months, it has been such a joy to know that I can trust in the Lord, that it is He who leads me on the path he has prepared for me! Sometimes, when we “see clearly” we can become distracted by all that is around us and lose sight of the path God has for us! In these times God is teaching us to trust fully in Him, not our own plans, our own vision and that often leads us to a more beautiful place than we can imagine or find if we are left to our own path!
I feel like we are neighbors, sharing the same foggy view. On Camano yesterday, as we drove, we ‘rose’ above the fog and it was fabulous. Thx for sharing your perspective on the fog.
We ARE neighbors! Except we’re a little farther south.
As Martha says “That’s a good thing.”
Love! Again.
Thank you, Shannon!
Love this! Thank you for sharing.
This is such a good word picture, Kristen. I find when I’m in the fog if I’ll just keep “keepin’ on” my Lord lifts the fog and brings me into the blue skies and sunshine again.
This post is so comforting. Thank you.