GOD IN THE FOG.

As I sipped coffee while waiting for my husband to return from a lecture at Regent College, Vancouver, Canada, I became aware of three ladies sitting at an adjoining table.

As one stepped forward towards me I recognised her. She sat at my table and asked,’ Where are you from?’

When I answered ‘Australia’, she enquired whether I had heard of the Christian Women’s Convention there.

I smiled as I replied, ‘Yes, I have been associated with them for over 30 years, and I am so glad to meet you again, Mrs. Houston. You spoke at our Victor Harbour Convention in South Australia. We laughed together at the happy remembrance.

‘Oh, I love Australians,’ she continued. ‘Everyone was so kind to me. You must come and have a meal at our home.’ Her husband, Dr James Houston, founded Regent College 25 years ago ‘for professional men and women to prepare them spiritually and theologically as an effective presence and voice for God in an increasingly godless society’.

It was a delicious meal we enjoyed at Rita’s home, and a welcome change to the simple meals we prepared in the students’ quarters at Carey Hall.

After dinner, Rita beckoned me to her upstair’s balcony which was surrounded by a stunning array of trailing mauve, purple, red, cerise, pink and violet petunias.

‘Look over there,’ Rita waved her arm, and as I looked across to the snow-capped mountains beyond sparkling Vancouver Bay, I marvelled at the beauty, the majesty, and the colour of the blue mountains on that summer night. A perfect creation.

Rita explained ,’In winter the thick fog comes across the bay right up to our fence, and it obscures the view. That dense fog hides the bay and the mountains.’

Then turning to me she earnestly continued, ‘Although I cannot see the mountains and the bay, I know that they are there. Isn’t that just like our Lord? Sometimes the fogs of life close in on me, and I cannot see the heights or depths of God, but by faith, I know that He is there, and I have nothing to fear. The fog will clear’, she confidently added.

I knew that Rita’s steadfast faith enabled her to endure many testings because of the comfort and faithfulness of her Lord.

As we left the colourful balcony and the glorious scene, we simultaneously began to recite the comforting words, ‘I will lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip He Who watches over you will not slumber: indeed He Who watches over Israel will neither slumber or sleep.’ ( Psalm 121:1-4 ) .

In the fogs of life, God is there. He is omnipresent. Always present. Gwenda