All is not what it seems

“God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal and unchangeable in his being,

wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness and truth.”

-- Westminster Shorter Catechism

Sometimes things aren’t what they seem and people say things that

aren’t accurate. Mistakes may be purposeful, but often they’re

situational.

I know I can make mistakes, so I work hard to verify my

information. If I quote someone or replay a situation, I try to run

it past those involved to make sure I’ve explained it correctly.

So it was interesting to find myself riding a roller coaster of

emotions that started as joy, plummeted to sadness and sorrow and

finally rose to stop at reality and relief the next day.

Last Saturday night, my husband Jon and I took our friends Susan

and Randy to dinner on the bluffs overlooking Big Corona Beach. We

hadn’t set up our site before we heard sirens. Soon we saw flashing

lights on vehicles headed to Big

Corona by land and sea. I prayed silently that God would guide and

provide the needed help.

We watched awhile, but then sat and dipped into salsa, guacamole

and good conversation.

Then we heard more sirens and watched additional emergency

equipment race to the beach. Later helicopters appeared and from

overhead we heard, “If you are missing a member of your party, please

contact the lifeguard.”

It was a chilling announcement and most everybody on the bluff

stood to look down at the beach. There was a long line of people

standing on the shoreline as waves crashed over the jetty.

I overheard a comment that perhaps someone had been swept off the

rocks. It was hard to enjoy our meal thinking of what was transpiring

below, and the four of us stopped to pray.

We prayed that God would guide the searchers to the missing party

and if possible that person could be found alive.

I knew how I’d feel if a loved one was missing, and prayed that

God would comfort those who were probably frantic with fear. God

doesn’t always answer prayers the way I’d like, but I know to pray

anyway.

Time passed, the sun set and it became darker and colder. I felt

guilty being warm with friends while people searched the cold water

from the beach, as well as with divers using lights. We finally left,

I slept terribly and the next morning, I headed back to the beach to

pray.

My heart sank when I saw rescue boats and vehicles, and people

standing on the beach. I asked a lifeguard supervisor if I could

help.

He explained that the search continued the previous night until

they talked to the parents of the missing 6-year old boy. The parents

confirmed that their son left earlier with friends and was safe and

sound. Nobody else was reported missing.

I was elated, but then confused, and asked, “Then why are all

these people and rescue boats here?”

“This is for a one-mile ocean race,” he answered nicely and

returned to duty.

I watched awhile, cheered for the swimmers and headed home.

It’s so easy to misinterpret things and so important to verify and

clarify information. That’s one reason I try to spend as much time

with God as possible.

God is always reliable and true, in all ways and at all times.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.