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The Grand Canyon
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The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon caught me by complete surprise. All I had mostly heard was warnings about not being disappointed so my expectations were probably not high enough.
I heard that it was a "big ditch."
I heard it was a "hole in the ground."
I was warned not to expect mountains. You drive up on it and it just drops off.
A park attendant told me that it didn't matter if you saw the north rim or the south rim because you saw the same thing everywhere.
Everyone followed up their warnings with, "It is beautiful" but I guess I just heard the warnings. I might have even skipped it except my sister-in-law loves it. I trust her and I decided to see it for myself.
As I drove up to it for the very first time, the beauty astounded me. I couldn't breath. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It went on for miles and miles. My prayers couldn't form words. I could only bask in my awe of God's mighty work.
The color contrasts reminded me of my daughter's art when she was 4 years old.
The rock formations had shapes I never taught my children to identify.
No matter how much I stared, I kept seeing more to look at.
I traveled to the South Rim First. I drove and hiked for hours. A storm made camping a very bad idea and I didn't want to leave the area. I rented a room at the lodge and walked back to the canyon for the sunset. I wouldn't have believed it possible but the colors got better.
Because of the heat, walking the rim on non-paved roads was tiring. I saw the trails that went down into the canyon but didn't think it was a good idea to hike it alone in the heat. I was disappointed because I wanted the beauty to surround me.
I saw the brave people standing out on the ledge. I have always been terrified of heights. When I stand close to a drop off, the bottom feels like it is pulling me down. I actually lose my sense of balance.
I wanted to stand close and was looking for a solid place where I would feel comfortable. You can see the place I found under Photo Gallery\Arizona - South Rim\A Place To Pray. The rock was large and flat. I stepped out to the middle of the rock so I could see down. It dropped for what seemed like miles. All of a sudden, my heart started pounding and I felt dizzy. I was perfectly safe but my brain wasn't convinced. I quickly prayed and stepped back to perceived safety.
The East Rim was spectacular. I enjoyed it because I saw more of the Colorado River. It was well worth the drive. It was also less crowded than the South Rim. Parking was easy.
The last day, I went up to the North Rim. I loved the North Rim because it is higher and cooler. It also offered safe hiking trails where you could go a little ways out into the canyon. I finally got to experience a little of being able to look up and sideways and see it.
If I had time to go just one of the rims, I think it would be the north. It offered most of what the south offered in terms of tourist attractions and it was cool. All rims were equally spectacular.
As I enjoyed the beauty, I realized how much this reminded me of my relationship with God.
Others didn't have the same experience with the Grand Canyon that I had. I felt bad for them because they missed so much. Many people I'm meeting don't enjoy a relationship with God. They go to God's house and fail to see or experience God's love. Some won't visit his house at all. They read his Book and don't fall in love with it. They don't long to spend time Him or won't discipline themselves to do it. They are introduced to his Son and don't want to know Him. They are missing so much. I ache for them.
I couldn't talk when I first saw the canyon. When I tried to pray, words wouldn't form. God understood my prayers because I didn't. I basked in awe. We try to explain what God's love means to us. No matter how we express it, words are inadequate. Sometimes when we praise him, words won't form. God understands our prayers. We bask in awe.
Everywhere I looked in the canyon, I saw changing color. A life with God is full of changing color. Just as we think we've seen beauty peak, the colors change and life with God grows more beautiful.
Like standing on that ledge, sometimes God's Will scares us. For no reason, our heart starts pounding and we want to jump back to perceived safety. Unlike the ledge, God's Will is completely safe.
Sometimes God asks us to jump off of a ledge. That is difficult for someone who is afraid of heights. God always catches us and flies us to a better ledge.
No matter where I looked in the canyon, I saw something else to look at. No matter how much we love God and how well we know God, there is always more waiting for us.
The canyon was such an adventure. I spent 3 days and there was so much more to do. Life with God is the greatest adventure. He teaches us to laugh, pray, cry, love, and play. There is always more to enjoy.
I am fascinated by the Grand Canyon. I want to know more about the science of the Grand Canyon. I asked a gentleman if he understand how the canyon was made. He looked at me and said, "God did it." Thank you God.
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