Because of Christ.

Ranger Cabin on summit of Hadley Mountain
August 2011

Does this photo "say" anything to you?

Note the chair.  Just one.

Usually, the ranger cabins on/near the summits of Adirondack mountains, are empty.

This one was actually being used this summer by an intern from a northern state college who was studying Environmental Science. He lives here and today, Labor Day, is probably his last day for summit work.  That one chair will most likely be put away for next year's ranger. If they get one who is willing to live in the wilderness!

The photo reminds me of the word "forlorn".  It is just smack dab in the wilderness region. No electricity.  No phone lines.  And barely a cell signal.  I had a little bit of cell service on the fire-tower but once I was walking around the flat, open summit, it was "in and out".

This ranger lived here all summer long.  And although many hikers come to this mountain, the numbers begin to decrease as the season winds down and turns to autumn.  Some hikers, my self included, actually prefer hiking in the autumn months. Or at least until Columbus Day weekend.  After that, invariably there is sleet or freezing rain beginning to occur and certainly by mid November there is often snow on the mountain tops or in the deep woods. It's during those times that the woods definitely take on a "forlorn" feeling.  I've been there at those times, and I've felt it in the atmosphere/environment around me.

"Forlorn".  A feeling of being abandoned, lonely, or pitifully sad.  This cabin just seems so forlorn sitting by the side of the summit with a deep cave behind it.

cave on summit of Hadley Mt.
c. faithe MTPics 8/2011

And yet....as summer winds down, and summer vacation ends for those of us in the teaching profession, I cannot help but be reminded that with the new season comes new activity.  A new sense of purpose and passion for loved things.  I am overseeing 2 ministries this year.  One ministry is a monthly ministry called Moms in Touch (an international prayer group).  That one is easy to maintain and schedule and no discipling is needed.  We just come together, 3-4 of us  and pray specifically for our children who are in the town's junior or senior high schools.  Just one hour a month.  Yet united in heart.  Certainly none of us feel forlorn.  Because of Christ.

And the other ministry is the Got Teens small group. (small groups are highly encouraged for all members of Grace Fellowship) The group has become a tight-knit group of mom-friends. I am honored to be their leader/facilitator and we all learn from each other! We need each other to encourage each other, to edify each other in the Word, and to reinforce ideas of parenting that we have and desire to have.  We study the Word of God and apply it to our lives as moms.  We do life together and now we are starting to plan social events together and incorporate our families together.  Certainly not a place to feel forlorn!  And we are united.  Because of Christ!

Of course the busyness of working a full time job (actually 60% full time) and then managing the home and raising my youngest as she begins junior high school is a large part of this new season, too.  And my husband is busy with his job, volunteer work at church and with home maintenance.  And we'll be going back and forth to New England to the college where our oldest is studying for special events/vacation times, etc.  It is a busy season that begins in just 2 days!

My life right now is too full to be "forlorn".....yet...some people do talk of being lonely. And  sometimes, although I might be "busy", I have felt lonely.  It is in those times that I look back and realize I wasn't spending intimate time with God.  Some people feel this way....  of feeling abandoned.  Perhaps they don't have a vibrant relationship with God or a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  Maybe they feel stuck in a rut or in a marriage that isn't growing or as exciting as it used to be.  Maybe they are feeling overwhelmed with prodigal children or too much busyness, or even alone in a crowd.....I've felt like that in years past...I'm sure many people can relate!  But with Christ, we can overcome that feeling of being alone, abandoned or pitifully sad.  There are so many Scriptures that speak about Jesus being our friend, the lover of our souls, our Helper in the time of storms, our refuge and rock.  With Christ......walking with Him we will not be alone.

Because of Christ we don't need to feel forlorn.

God will never leave us nor forsake us.

Because of Christ.