When my children were younger, we’d often take vacations by going camping. Since we lived in New Jersey, we’d camp at various national parks and state parks around the east coast. One of the parks we camped at was Spruce Run Recreation Area not far from Clinton, New Jersey.
When we entered the park, one of the first things we noticed were signs that said: “Bear Country”. Then when we got to our campsite, we found yellow plastic notices nailed onto the picnic tables, again warning about bears. We were used to seeing these kinds of notices in other parks, but this park had them everywhere making you feel as if any moment a bear might come charging out of the bushes to attack you. Fortunately, we didn’t have any problems with bears. They must have gone away to wherever bears go for vacation.
When it started to get dark, we sat around the campfire eating s’mores and telling stories. Then we settled into our tents to get a good night’s sleep. Everything was quiet and peaceful until about 3:00am when we were shaken awake by loud claps of thunder. A violent rainstorm descended upon us pouring down rain by the bucket full and flashing bright, blazing lightning with terrific cracks of thunder.
I’ve been in some intense lighting storms, but this was the worst I’ve ever experienced. For at least thirty minutes we huddled in our tents being bombarded by lightning and thunder. It was frightening, and I prayed to God for his protection. Eventually, the wind, rain, thunder, and lighting passed, and we emerged from our tents grateful for the calm after the storm.
Camping outdoors has some risks. The dangers posed by bears and lightning are real. Many nights as I lay in my tent to sleep, I’d pray and ask God to protect me and my family.
I sometimes worry about things, and when I go camping, sometimes, I lay awake in my sleeping bag worrying about things that might happen. Would a bear reach into our tent and try to grab us? Would we be struck by lightning? Then sometimes, my thoughts would drift to my relationship with God, and I’d ask myself: “Is my life right with God?”
Getting alone in the woods with nothing to protect you but a thin sheet of fabric can make you ask questions you might not otherwise consider. Normally, we don’t have to worry about bears or being struck by lightning, but we all face times when we need God’s protection. That’s when it’s good to know that you have a good relationship with God.
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