The following is a blog entry submitted to SDA Homeschool Blog:
It was just coincidence, wasn’t it, that we met up with the guy just starting out in his kayak to paddle the Mississippi River from its source to its mouth?
It was just coincidence, wasn’t it, that we met up with the guy just starting out in his kayak to paddle the Mississippi River from its source to its mouth?
My parents visited us here in Minnesota recently, and we took them on an overnight trip to Lake Itasca and the headwaters of the Mississippi River. We arrived on a rainy, cool Wednesday afternoon and checked into the historic Douglas Lodge. After putting away our things, we got back into the van to explore the state’s first park.
Following a simple map, we reached the interpretative center just a few hundred feet from the beginning of the "mighty Mississip." It was closed.
So, we wandered down the drippy and muddy trail to the lake/river itself. We were the only people there, and the kids had fun crossing the rocks at the very beginning of the river. We took pictures, played around in the chilly water, and then headed back up the trail.
The rest of the evening was spent in the Lodge.
Thursday dawned bright and beautiful. After a restful(?) — not too restful when sleeping with a thrashing girl — sleep, we all gathered for breakfast. After a simple worship and a planning of the day, we loaded up our things, checked out of the Lodge and walked across the parking lot to the gift store. Here’s the thing, I KNOW I read the store hours correctly — the resource book stated it opened at 8:00 a.m. But the sign on the door said 10:00. (It was about 9:00 at this point.)
Oh, well … OK.
So, we decided to go back to explore the visitor’s center. It was open, and we looked, listened, discovered, searched, and did all things we do at such hands-on places. We learned much about the history of the park and the role U.S. President F.D. Roosevelt’s CCC — Civilian Conservation Corps — played in developing such a beautiful spot. There was a small gift shop there and we looked around; the kids bought a trinket or two.
We checked the time. We were enjoying ourselves and really had no set schedule. From the center we meandered back to the interpretive center; you know, the one just yards away from the river? We looked through that one, learning about the history of the discovery of the river, and we explored its massive gift shop. After completing our purchases there, we walked out. There were many people around now, each determined to enjoy the beautiful summer day. We asked ourselves if we wanted to go back to the headwaters. Oh, sure, why not! So, back we went.
About a hundred feet down the path from the interpretive center, we crossed the bridge where the tiny river gurgles underneath, slowed by the abundant amounts of growing wild rice. We stopped so my kids could “cross the river.” As they were having fun striding across the river (my 16-year-old son said, “Look, Ma, I can cross the Mis
sissippi River in two strides!”), we noticed a man pulling an orange and yellow kayak through the grass. He pulled it up to the steps that led down into the river which my children were using, and set about rearranging his kayak’s contents.
sissippi River in two strides!”), we noticed a man pulling an orange and yellow kayak through the grass. He pulled it up to the steps that led down into the river which my children were using, and set about rearranging his kayak’s contents.
Curiosity got the better of me. “Where are you headed?” I asked.
“To the Gulf,” he replied.
REALLY?!? That’s more than 2,000 miles.
The rest of my family got in on the conversation, completely enthralled with his journey. He told me how to track his progress, and I carefully made a mental note of it. After a few minutes, he was on his way and we on ours.
Late in the afternoon we bade farewell to Lake Itasca and began winding our way back home to the Twin Cities. As the river twists and turns a crazy number of times near its source, we cross it many times as we traveled southward. One time as we sped over the swampy creek, a flash of orange caught our eye. “THAT’S HIM!! THAT’S HIM!!” the kids shouted.
Fast forward a month: Our kayaker friend was now just a few miles from our house. By prior arrangement, we headed to a nearby dam to meet him, help him with the portage. That completed, he headed on down the river another mile or two while we hurried down to a nearby park where we would pull him and his kayak out and provide lodging for the night.
One night turned into two nights because of bad weather ... then three nights because he wanted to experience his first Sabbath.
His first Sabbath.
Was it just coincidence that the first gift shop was closed after everything I read said it would be OPEN?
Was it just coincidence that our friend was delayed two days before starting his trip?
Was it just coincidence? No, I don’t think so.
What is the bottom line?
Back in our room at Douglas Lodge, our simple worship was this prayer: “Lord, let us be used by You today. Let us be open to your promptings. Give us words and actions that will draw others to You." Then, be sure to live it.
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