Ok, I promise to explain the title before we are done!

In May of this year, I participated in the “Consultation.” When I received the email invitation, I had no clue what this event was but it intrigued me and it was being held in conjunction with another event I had agreed to attend. I accepted the invitation and found myself making plans to travel to the YMCA Camp in Estes Park, Colorado.

The calendar was pretty free, so I added a trip to see Mom after the Colorado events and that required me to get a rental car rather than take a shuttle bus.

The arrival was fascinating. I left the Denver airport, drove quite awhile on the interstate, then drove on a smaller road and eventually found myself on a winding narrow road, heading up the mountains. I’m sure the view was lovely, but my grip on the steering wheel was tight; I was totally focused on the road and the traffic ahead and behind me.

The meetings went well. I even learned what the “Consultation” was. And the YMCA camp was in such a beautiful setting. We were nestled among the mountains, near beautiful trees and the sun was perfect each day. Nature was all around us. I saw deer on the property. My devotional life that week was filled with praises of our God, the most Creative Creator!

Eventually it was time for me to prepare to make my way back to the Denver Airport. Unfortunately, the flight to Kansas City was fairly early. I was concerned about how long it would take me to a drive to the airport, gas up and turn in the rental car, check in with the airline and get through TSA. I was apprehensive about driving down the mountain in the dark but I decided it was necessary to get up very early and to do the best I could.

Sometimes I struggle with sleep and the night before my departure was rough. I did what I do often, I start playing a video or TV show on my phone, set the timer, put in my earbud and try to fall asleep to the sound of voices. That particular night, I was listening to a History Channel show called “Alone.” This show follows survival experts as they make camp and live very far north in arctic-like weather.

As sleep eluded me, I heard from those featured on “Alone.” One expert was talking about Arctic animals which could be very dangerous to humans. He mentioned bears and wolverines and how most of the wilderness threats are from meat-eating animals. But then he said in reply to a question, “A moose? A moose will just kill you.”

Eventually I got a couple of hours of sleep. I did my final packing and then checked my room. It was 4:00am and I worked quietly so as to not disturb those in rooms around me. To get to my rental car, I needed to leave my room, go down a short hallway, take an elevator up one floor and exit to the parking lot. When I was ready to exit my room, I did what I always do, I opened the curtains so that cleaning crew would come into a bright room.

I flung open the curtain and in the dark I saw a massive animal on the small piece of ground between my window and the paved lot where my rental car was parked.

I looked again and then the animal turned his massive head toward me and stared at me as I stared at him. It was a MOOSE!!

Immediately, my mind raced back to the words of the expert: “A moose? A moose will just kill you.”

I turned off the lights in my room and looked again. He was still staring at me. A moose! A moose was between me and my car!! And a moose, well “a moose will just kill you!!”

I blinked before he did and quickly left my room. As I exited the lobby, I couldn’t see the moose. Was he lurking behind the bushes, waiting to attack? I started giggling. Then I realized that I wasn’t sure which car was mine. (White rental cars all look alike!) I had to stop and allow the path lights to show me where the unlock button was on the key fob. My car lights came on and I quickly stowed my luggage and got into the car. Safe inside the car, I started laughing – loudly.

As I started down the very dark, narrow mountain road full of twists and turns, my mind kept returning to that moose.

I roared with laughter when I considered how, if the moose had killed me for sport, my pastor would have to stand in front of family and friends and preach a celebration of life message.

– What on earth would he say? Could even Pastor Jon keep a straight face? Dare he speak of how God’s path for us could include deadly mammals?

– Would people be whispering, “What do you think she did to that moose to make him attack her? Maybe she told him one too many story!”

– Or, they might say “Do you think the moose was attracted to the smell of Reese’s peanut butter cups that were probably in her purse?“

– I could imagine family members giggling (while mourning and being so very, very sad), “How bad do you think the moose looks? Bet he won’t be making that mistake again!!

The dreaded drive to the airport was completed quickly and safely all due to a silly comment made on a TV show and a moose that was probably so tame as to wander into a YMCA camp. I believe that God and I both had a good laugh about how quickly fear can turn into laughter.

You see, in case of a moose attack or any other deadly threat in this world, I know where I am going to live all of eternity. I have my reservation already booked in Heaven thanks to the love and sacrifice of my Jesus!!

Got something tough to do? Just remember, at least it won’t involve fighting off a moose at 4 am!!

Seriously, the only way to live in this world is to give your life, today and tomorrow, to Jesus. A simple prayer of “Jesus, I want You to forgive my sins, to take over my life, and to guide my steps from now on. I’m tired of living afraid of what might happen. I need you to be Lord in my life.” Ask Him with a sincere heart and He will forgive you of your sinful past and will love and guide you. The next step is to find Christian friends and teachers at a good church.

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

Need help? I know the way – I’ll help you. Just holler.

Love,

Jill (just one of God’s kids)

(Jesus said) Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. (Revelation 3:20)