Weekly Musing - Pat

A Memory and a Revelation

Alaska. Snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, crystal blue skies, turquoise-colored glaciers, flower laden tundra. Big horn sheep, elk, bear and shimmering, multi-colored salmon swimming upstream. Bald eagles decorating trees like Christmas balls. All this beauty, could I possibly ask for more?

“Father, can we please see whales jump?” A child's seemingly frivolous prayer to a loving heavenly Father, even if the child was 57 years old.

It was our third cruise to Alaska, and we had once again signed up for our favorite tour, whale-watching. Whales breaching, jumping straight up out of the water, how my heart longed for the sight. We had been told whales do not breach in Alaska. The prior two times we were rewarded with tails and fins and seeing spouting steam rise in the clear, blue, cold Alaska air. I wanted more.

We boarded the whale-watching tour boat as the rain hit our faces like ice pellets. A voice came over the loudspeaker, “I feel this is going to be an extraordinary day - I just feel like something special is going to happen.” I stood expectantly by the rail, holding tight. My eyes, peering out from under the hood of my coat. I scanned the horizon for any sign of whales. I heard the desired words, “There, straight ahead - a mother and calf.” At once, all eyes were focused on the waves in the distance, and, as if on cue, up he came, the calf broke the surface and seemed to wave at us as his fin flapped in the air. I was enthralled, entranced. My prayer had been answered.

My breath had just returned to normal when I heard, “Over there, look.” My eyes watched the water. Up, up, up he jumped. His grey body split the water and seemed to take flight. In a millisecond, his body arcing, he returned with a splash to the water below. Wow, wow, wow! I guess whales do breach in Alaska! The call came again. My heart raced as I looked to the horizon. Then, for a third time, the water parted as a great huge, grey body emerged, his eyes looking back at us. The only sounds were “ooh and aah” as all on board were speechless at the sight.

My hands cramped from holding tight, my face stung from the ice. I stood transfixed, amazed. Before I could make the decision to move, right in front of me he rose. His magnificent gray body fully exposed and so close I could have reached out and touched him on his nose. Time and space disappeared as I got an up-close, and dramatic view of a giant humpback whale. Then, at once, the water sparkled and splashed, and he was gone.

Stunned and delighted. My mind could not take in what my eyes had seen. A dream come true; a desire fulfilled. Four times. I had asked for one. God answered with four. The last one seemed to be especially for me. I imagined God asking me, “is that close enough?” With a laugh, “almost too close.”

A voice over the loud speaker said, “She can’t come to the mic, she’s crying.” Referring to our tour guide. The one who had started the day saying, “I think this is going to be a special day.” Indeed!

God not only lavished His love on me that day BUT on everyone on board! Could it be - could it possibly be true that it delighted the Father heart of God to delight His children? To grant a simple, child-like prayer? I believe it did.

I hope you too will experience this truth - you give your Father great joy, delight and pleasure.

“For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17.

“God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” Ephesians 1:5-6.

“For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.” Psalms 149:4.

P.S. That was May 25, 2007. Eighteen years and still the truth of God’s delight in us stands firm and unchanging. May you see Him smiling at you today!