I found myself in pretty unexpected circumstances in San Francisco and had an experience of God’s grace because of it.

Michael was supposed to arrive in San Francisco the day after me, and we were looking forward to spending some time together in this beautiful city.

Early on Friday morning I received a call in my hotel room. It was Michael and he was not on the plane as expected. He had arrived at Heathrow in the early hours of Friday morning, to be told that his current passport did not have the new biometric data required to enter the U.S. and therefore he was unable to travel. Tickets cancelled. We were both so upset and disappointed.

What made it worse was that I had had a few experiences the day I arrived, which had made me really look forward to Michael being with me.

What really made me uncomfortable was the feeling of being so far from home and not knowing anyone in the city. I was pretty upset that morning and so knelt down in my hotel room and poured everything out to God. This was one of those experiences where I needed to know God was there. Present. Real. Tangible.

Every time I started thinking of the disappointment and of being alone, I felt really sad. I felt God’s comfort and Him say to me, “Lift your eyes, dear one, look to Me.” And so I began praying, “I don’t know what to do Lord, but my eyes are upon You” 2 Chronicles 20:12 (paraphrase).

I felt the challenge to exercise my faith in the promises of God in these circumstances. First, I needed to experience God’s presence and companionship:

“For Your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is His name” Isaiah 54:5, and, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” Hebrews 13:5

I also needed to know His protection:

“He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart … If you make the Most High your dwelling – even the LORD, who is my refuge, then no harm will befall you … For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” Psalm 91:9-11.

And also, that He had allowed this for His Sovereign purposes and that He would work them out for good:

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28 , and, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” Ephesians 3:20.

I experienced God’s grace through praying out these promises and then holding onto them. 

Another way that He showed me His grace was through a church in the heart of the city on Nob Hill called Grace Cathedral (good name :)). I went to the Palm Sunday services there and spent time talking with a few of the lovely church members who were really welcoming and interested.

I guess I was powerfully reminded of being part of Christ’s Body which obviously transcends geographical boundaries. We share the same communion, and commonly seek after Jesus. Finding myself alone in this city, and far from home, my experience of God and His people at this church made me feel less adrift. I was part of a community, and that is because of God.

The photos are of  of a beautiful fountain in a park in front of Grace Cathedral and also of Saint Francis welcoming people at the entrance.

~ by Birgit on March 22, 2008.

Posted in Christianity, Devotional, Jesus, Photos and Slideshows, Travel