Heaven let it’s light shine down yesterday morning!
Ever think you’re just going to have a normal day, doing normal things, and then boom- something amazing happens and it completely changes the direction of your day?
It started off a normal day. Woke up, grabbed a cup of fruit from the hotel breakfast nook and hopped in the car with my parents to go explore Cade’s Cove.
Cade’s Cove is a scenic loop of the Great Smoky Mountains national park. Nestled right outside of the small town of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. As a young girl my family would spend every summer visiting this area. Now, as I’ve grown up, I have a new appreciation for just how special this place truly is.
As we got our bikes I couldn’t help but set some high expectations for the 10 mile trip. It was a gorgeous morning and I had a feeling it was going to be an amazing ride. Unbelievable panoramic views of the valleys to the mountain tops with wildlife just moving about at their own leisurely pace. God’s creation in its most authentic form.
Well it was surely all of that, but way more. Without a doubt the prettiest bike ride I’ve ever been on. But God wanted me to experience more than just his beautiful canvas. He brought Heaven to earth for an incredible moment. A moment I will remember for the rest of my life.
After spending the first 15 minutes of the trip in awe of a Momma Bear and her two cubs crossing the road right in front of us, I approached a small hill. As I came around the bend, at the top of the hill I met a man named Dave. And yes, it happened that fast. I was on my bike, he yelled “Hey my name’s Dave, do you want to sing Amazing Grace?”and before any thought or idea could cross my mind, I was off my seat and headed up to the steps of a little white church. We walked in, my mom and dad following behind, and Dave bee-lined to the alter. “Let’s see what the Bible is opened to today.”
It was opened to Job.
“The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.” Job 33:4
And we began to sing…
Amazing Grace!
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost but now am found
Was blind but now I see
Dave at the alter, my dad at the piano. So out of tune, both the piano and our voices, but it didn’t matter! Jesus was present. I wanted to soak up and soak in every. single. second. With eyes closed we sang the next…
When we’ve been there ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’ve first begun
Dave shared that he and his wife come to Cade’s Cove every Wednesday and Saturday morning to witness to visitors passing through. That he meets people from all over, takes note of their names, and prays for each and every one of them. We stood in a circle at the front of the church as he prayed- for my mom, my dad, myself and this mission trip, and for the other couple in the church.
Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come
‘Tis Grace has brought me safe thus far
And Grace will lead me home
Complete strangers, only for a moment.
A lesson from the book of Job. An old Hymn. And a prayer.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, for eternity.
What God showed me on a Wednesday morning bike ride through the Smoky Mountains at the alter in a little white church was incredible. Not to mention, pretty emotional given that I’ve had numerous hard see-you-laters the past few days and a tough time packing the next year of my life in 2 backpacks.
God filled me up when I least expected because he is THAT GOOD!
Whether we are walking through a valley, sitting on our butts in a creek in a valley, trying to climb the mountain, standing comfortably at the peak, or even coasting down the other side Jesus wants us to walk with Him through it. And when we do, and we acknowledge Him in it, he will show up! And he will show off!
The mountains were beautiful, the bears were exciting, the bike ride was great, but none of that compares to the breath taking, life giving, Amazing Grace of Jesus that poured in and through that little white church.
There will be many valleys, struggling climbs, and mountain tops along this journey the next 11 months. But I have been blessed with a squad and team of individuals like Dave. Ready to meet people of all ages with an open heart. Walking in freedom every day because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. Growing in who we are and knowing whose we are. Praying that normal days become something so much more- all to glorify Him. All for a mission to spread the love of Christ and advance His Kingdom.
Until the next Amazing Grace moment…
XOXO
Taylor
UPDATE
I’m officially at launch in Atlanta and will leave the states on Monday. I’ll be without social media for the first six weeks of my trip but will post updates via blog when possible. (Meaning my next post will be from El Salvador- ahhhh)
From the bottom of my heart thank you to each and every one of you who have supported me financially and prayerfully. I wouldn’t be here today, with a heart and mind open to all that the Lord has in store, without you. I’m only $1,000 away from being fully funded. If it is on your heart to partner with me on this journey, you can still make a donation by clicking on the ‘donate’ box at the top of this page.
