By Michele Eich
Years ago, I was in a really dark place. When I was about to make a decision that would have adversely affected the course of my life and the lives of others, God showed up in a powerful way.
It was the spring of 1995, and chaos swirled around me. I had recently accepted Jesus as my Savior, but the consequences of my actions prior to knowing Him were barreling down me like a freight train. I felt like I was tied to the train tracks ready to be crushed by the locomotive called regret that was fast approaching me.
Escape was always my way out. Through my imagination, I would check out and fantasize about how to improve my reality. My thoughts went something like this: I want to get in the car and drive until I reach the ocean. I could take all of my money and credit cards then drive until I see the waves. Where would I go? Florida? California? Oh, how about North Carolina? That place has the ocean and mountains. I could go there and never come back. My problems would never follow me there!
As I planned this imaginary trip, a friend of mine called. We chit-chatted, and I asked her what she was up to. This busy gal was planning to go to a Fellowship of Christian Athletes camp with her family in the summer which was a few months away. I asked her where they were heading to. Her response was…North Carolina.
I said, “This is going to sound strange, but I think I am supposed to go with you.” I then paid the deposit and wrote it down on the calendar. Having something to look forward to helped my outlook on life tremendously. It gave me what I had been lacking in that dark season, and that was hope. The slightest sliver of hope brings light into the darkest of circumstances.
At the time, I had 2 children. My oldest daughter was 12, and my youngest was 9 months old. My pre-teen daughter could participate in the girls’ camp, and I could attend as an adult with huddle leaders and coaches. They even provided childcare for my baby girl!
God knew exactly what I needed. The trip was incredible. What a blessing it was to get away and go up to the mountaintop with Jesus. I experienced a kind of freedom and peace I had never felt before. I saw men praying for each other, couples worshiping together, and athletes coming to faith in Christ. That included my daughter. She accepted Jesus and eventually went into youth ministry. God is so faithful!
Well, as they say, all good things must come to an end. It was approaching the time where I had to go back home, and like the disciples who saw the transfigured Christ, I didn’t want to come down from the mountain and go back to the harsh realities of the world below. I actually planned to stay. I was going to take my baby and send my older daughter home with my friends.
Looking back, I was not in my right mind. This was absolute lunacy never to return home again, but I cannot explain the relief of escaping from my problems by running away from them. When facing a truly desperately painful situation, we are willing to do anything to find relief.
On the last night of camp, I cleaned my room and packed up our belongings. I cried an ugly cry that wouldn’t stop. How could I send my daughter away and not return home? What would my baby and I do to survive in a new place where I knew no one? I had a husband, job, and family back home, but I didn’t want to go and face the music there.
As I was checking a drawer in the dresser, it looked empty. I “heard” something in my heart say, “Check it again.” I swiped my hand to the very back of it and pulled out a little sachet of potpourri. It had a scripture on it that read, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” That was the first time I had ever heard of Jeremiah 29:11, and it changed my life forever. I knew I had to go home.
The tears fell even harder when I read that powerful scripture. God was telling me that He had plans for me, and that gave me hope for my future. I didn’t know what would happen next, but I knew He would be with me and help me get through it.
I went home, and shortly after that, I got pregnant with my son. As I am writing this, I am looking at my beautiful granddaughter who is the baby of that son. Had I run away, she would not be here today. It is funny how one decision in life can affect your entire future as well as generations that follow.
I am so incredibly thankful for the plans my loving Father has for me even in the midst of great turmoil and difficult seasons. * I will never forget the impact of that still small voice Who simply said, “Check it again.” *In her book, How to Kill an Addiction: Recovery with God, Michele Eich tells the story of why things were so difficult in that season.
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