While I usually have the great pleasure of writing “Faithful Living” from a modest-sized den in a family home on Whidbey Island, I pen this week’s column from the garden island of Kauai, Hawaii, where my husband and I are spending a few days mixing business and pleasure. Kauai lives up to its reputation in every way — including glorious trade winds to cool down the sun’s heat, aquamarine waters, and the scent of plumeria that hovers above her lush, tropical gardens. I must say, however, that the beauty surrounding us in the Pacific Northwest is equally dramatic and soothing. For me, the trick is to build into my daily schedule some time to look around and allow our region’s unique beauty to counteract the stresses of my daily life — stresses that can add additional layers of gray to my outlook and energy level if I make such concessions.

I am well practiced at paying attention to the beauty that surrounds me in Washington state, for exotic trips have not been within my reach most of my married life. Long ago I decided that rather than to wish for distant, romantic ventures my schedule and pocketbook would not accommodate, I would discover ways to refresh myself that existed within my reach. Rather than surrender to feelings of jealousy or over emphasize the rejuvenating power of a trip, I would take in the brisk clean air of the Pacific Northwest and watch eagles as they soar overhead. I would fix a cup of tea, light a favorite candle, listen to my daughter play her piano or rub the nose of our horse. I would also regularly listen to worship music and dip into scripture so I might recognize God when He worked around me. All these activities speak to me of the great joy that comes from appreciating the little things and getting to know God on a more intimate level.

But this trip would be different. We would — for once! — be able to leave children and responsibilities behind for a few days, thanks to generous friends and understanding supervisors. We would flee the reaches of everyone and stow away for a few days. Nobody would know exactly where we were — or care, for that matter.

Or so we thought.

Sunday morning arrived and the bright sun and the sound of the surf drew us outside and onto the sandy beach. As we walked along the shoreline, taking advantage of the rare opportunity to enjoy a private, uninterrupted conversation, we had a thought: Not only is this one beautiful day, but it’s Sunday! It’s a worship day! Realizing that God longs for our attention, our praise, and our hearts — even during those get-away times — we decided to stop and turn around.

Back at the cottage I grabbed a phone book. I turned to listings of area churches and saw an ad that seemed to represent the kind of worship style we enjoy most. After showering and stepping into some shorts, off we headed to find the church — which those of you who have been in Hawaii know can be challenging as what is written on the map rarely resembles the roads you travel.

Moments later and with two minutes to spare, we located the church building. We hurriedly parked, raced across a reddish-brown parking lot, strewn with volcanic remnants, and stepped into a Hawaiian-style open-air sanctuary —only to discover a handfull of old friends we had no idea would be there, and who were equally shocked to see us. Two of our friends had recently moved to Kauai and were themselves first-time visitors to the church, searching for Christian fellowship and hoping to begin the process of developing family-like connections with other believers that very Sunday.

Oh the shock and joy and near disbelief of such an experience. Just when we thought we had found the outer limits of the universe, where nobody would ever find us, God stepped in so dramatically we were left to stifle screams and hug each other and exclaim in amazement: God is with us! He knows where we venture and what our hearts need. And while there are those times when He chooses to test our faith with seeming separation, there are those other moments when He steps in with drama. He wills that friends unknowingly park beside each other in church lots so they can worship together and celebrate the joys of friendships and simply being alive.

God reminds us that as we seek to discover how to live purpose-driven lives, He is purpose-driven in the ways He interacts with each one of us. Why on earth are we here in Kauai? To love and enjoy Him, forever.

Freelance writer Joan Bay Klope’s e-mail address is jbklope@hotmail.com

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read.