As summer is in its final lap, I often take time to reflect back on my success (or lack thereof) in enjoying family time, long days, and making new memories.  I had the wonderful pleasure of taking 2 different week-long family vacations, which is a rare treat for me.

The second of these trips was to a place I know quite well – a place that I have vacationed at over 25 times in my life – some beautiful family-owned property on Lake of the Woods in Western Ontario.  It’s a true retreat from everyday life.  There’s not much that beats a great day of fishing followed by a fresh fish fry that night.

Here I was in a remote part of Canada, surrounded by lakes, pine trees, and bald eagles.  I had escaped my office, my cell phone, my email, my normal responsibilities… and even Facebook.  Yet, the change in scenery did not allow me to escape my heart.

I was carrying around pain that was tender to the touch.  A lot of it was even those “everyday” pains we all experience:  frustration with the kids, the minefield of marriage, unfinished work.  Some of these more normal pains were only amplified by the vacation.  There were a few unusual circumstances too: interpersonal issues with extended family, major financial decisions, and the recent departure from my local church.

I was separated from the day-to-day grind.  I was surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation.  Yet, I was a heart in need of a rescue.  In fact a song on this week’s Under The Radar by Andrew Osenga connected with me quite well.  I wasn’t in a capsized boat or in a van stuck in a ditch or hanging off the side of a cliff.  But I was still in need of a rescue right in the middle of my vacation.

This isn’t just a sob story.  It was eye opening to me that almost regardless of surroundings, we carry around brokenness, pain, and anger in our hearts.  It’s another portrait of the Gospel in action.  We are in daily need of the ultimate Rescuer to bring peace, healing, direction, and wholeness.  He will meet us in the midst of that darkness no matter where we are at… even on a lake in Canada.  And I can testify that whatever you are carrying in your heart, His peace is available.


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written by Dave Trout