He did.
I grew up on Ann-O-Reno Lane in a little town 30 miles north of San Diego.
Well, it was a little town back when I was eight.
There was an Egg-O-Mat down the road; when you dropped your change in the slot a little door would open to reveal a dozen fresh, refrigerated eggs ready to take home. The Red Bird Tavern was the next right after our street. Besides that, we were surrounded by fields.
Not anymore. There are freeways and malls and a Walmart.
If you turned left at the top of Ann-O-Reno Lane you would be on Sam-O-Reno Road. And at the end of that short little street was a trail that lead through a field, up to a big rock. It jutted out over the field and provided a nice view.
That rock was mine. It was my mountaintop.
It was where I went to pour out my heart to God.
I wonder if anybody saw me; if anybody questioned why a 13 or 14 year old girl was riding her ten-speed into a field to sit on a rock. I wonder if anybody heard me praying out loud...if there was someone, other than God, listening as I voiced the secrets hidden in my mind and heart. Did someone see tears every now and then? Did anybody notice the big, green book I carried, a Bible called The Way?
Eventually the field was developed and the rock went away. Eventually my family moved.
Eventually, I grew up.
I like to think I returned from those little treks with a look of serenity on my face. I felt it in my heart.
Meeting with God does that.
I was surprised to see that look on my face in the mirror the other day.
It's nice to know you don't need a field or a big rock to have a mountaintop experience with God.
It can happen in a living room at sea level.
I am so thankful that young girl went up on that rock and prayed. When that girl was a freshman in high school she introduced this young man to Jesus. Now, 35 years later, I am a pastor and missionary, have 4 Christian kids, including one who is a missionary. I thought that young girl was pretty special all those years ago. Still do. Thanks for the memories Kathy.
ReplyDeleteYes Kathy, thanks for the memories. We had some great times, you, Jody, Laura, me, and the youth group at Cornerstone. I often think back on those days. Guess I'm more nostalgic than I like to admit, but those early days of our walk with Christ were so fresh and innocent, even easy. Lots of great memories.
ReplyDeleteLike you, it was through the testimony of a neighbor and in my room that I accepted Christ at the age of 13. Wow! Has it really been that long?
You may know, Wayne and Nancy still live in the house on Ann-O-Reno, as far as I know. Haven't heard different. It isn't the same place though, except in our hearts and memories.
Love the picture and thanks again for the memories.
Bill - your name is familiar. Did we know each other in high school. When Kathy was a freshman I would have been a junior or senior.
Thanks for sharing the memories with me, guys. I'm so grateful for the wonderful ways God has used you both, and that you continue to walk with Him.
ReplyDeleteRandy, Bill was a senior when I was a freshman. It was a big school...could you have been in the same class??
Gonna have to look Bill up in my yearbook. Yeah, it was a big school - still is.
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