Today's post is by Phyllis Herron, the wife of Patrick Herron. They teach a marriage prep small group and have a passion for pointing marriages to Christ.



Hi, Ladies,

Just a month ago, my husband and I went on our first vacation to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone National Park. We had a wonderful week of hiking, touring and animal watching. We saw lots of bears, elk, buffalo, and even moose and a fox and a wolf.

Our dress was pretty casual on this vacation – jeans and long sleeve shirts with a t-shirt on top were the norm. We were also pretty intentional about trying to wear t-shirts with scripture.

One day, we decided to take a ranger hike around Jenny Lake in the Grand Tetons. It was a 3 mile hike – not too bad. We talked with several of the other hikers on the way swapping stories about where to eat and the best animal-watching spots. At the end of the hike, our ranger told us that we could turn around and walk back with him or continue on with the hike further between the mountains. Several other people were planning to go on and asked us to join them so we did.

Let me just tell you that our 3 mile hike turned into a 14 mile hike – a lot further than we planned! Our 14 mile hike didn’t surprise God at all. I know He had everything planned out. You have lots of time to talk on a 14 mile hike.

There was a young Indian couple in our little hiking group. The wife had twisted her ankle earlier in the week, but was being a trooper and making the most of it. She approached me early on the way back and said that she saw my shirt at the beginning of the hike and really liked it. I asked what she liked about it. She said that it was one of her favorite verses. Did I say earlier that you have lots of time to talk on a 14 mile hike? Well, we did. I found out she was of the Hindu faith, mainly because she was raised that way. Her marriage was arranged, and she was very happy. I shared that I was of the Christian faith and believed it. We talked a little of the differences. I told her that I prayed to God, the Father and to His Son, Jesus and I asked who she prayed to. She said that was complicated as they believe that everything is spiritual.

[caption id="attachment_84" align="alignleft" width="300"] This is the t-shirt Phyllis was wearing that sparked the conversation with the woman on the hike.[/caption]

I told her about the class that we teach for engaged couples. She was very intrigued with that and asked a lot about it. She was studying to be a counselor. I explained that we weren’t licensed counselors, but just people who wanted marriages to succeed and that we think the only way to do that is to live our lives for Christ. She wanted to know about what we taught, so I explained that it was all based on the Bible. She wanted to know examples so I kept on talking.

I know you are wondering what Pat was doing all this time. Well, he was leading on the path and praying the whole time. (I love that my husband prayed for me and my friend – while it was happening - real time.)

I wish I could report a salvation moment, but it didn’t happen. At least it didn’t happen on the hike. I’ve thought about Isaiah 55:8-11: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

I do know that God’s purpose was accomplished. I don’t know what His purpose was – whether for my friend to hear His word in her heart or for me to have the joy of sharing about my God – but I know that His purpose was accomplished.

So, a couple of thoughts in closing – think about what you wear on vacation! And, more importantly, take the opportunities that God gives you to just share yourself. God’s purpose will be accomplished! Thanks for letting me share!