Expecting the Hilton, Getting the Wilderness

A few months ago, Carl won a silent auction prize -- three days and two nights at Lake Bastrop South Shore. Sounded wonderful! We imagined a cozy little cabin, a warm cup of coffee in the morning while gazing at the lake, and all the comforts of home wrapped in a nature-filled getaway.

Thankfully, Carl had the good sense to call ahead. That’s when we learned a small but significant detail: the cabin had no bathroom. Instead, the fine folks at the park assured us that the communal showers and restrooms were “nearby.” Now, I don’t know about you, but my idea of nearby does not involve putting on shoes and grabbing a flashlight at 2 a.m.

Still, we pressed on, adventurous spirits that we are. After all, the drive was only an hour, and maybe -- just maybe -- the beauty of the place would make up for the lack of…indoor plumbing.

We arrived at the camp store, received our key, and took in the gorgeous setting -- towering pine trees, the shimmering lake, a peaceful, tucked-away haven. We can do this, we thought.

Then, we opened the cabin door.

One room. Two bunk beds. No bathroom. No kitchen. No chairs. No sheets. Not even a microwave to heat up a cup of something comforting.

We looked at each other. We looked at the cabin. We looked at the long, dark walk to the “nearby” bathroom.

And then we took a nice, long hike -- right back to our car.

Instead of roughing it, we found ourselves in the charming town of Bastrop, dining at Wanda’s Café, surrounded by Lucille Ball memorabilia and the nostalgic glow of the 40s, 50s, and 60s. And you know what? It was delightful.

Sometimes, life doesn’t unfold the way we planned. We expect the Hilton and get the wilderness. But even in those moments, God reminds us to embrace the unexpected. The beauty of the trees, the laughter at our own missteps, the joy of a simple meal in a small town -- those are His gifts, too.

As Proverbs 16:9 says, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Even if those steps lead us out of a cabin and straight to a plate of comfort food!

And in all things, give thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:18) -- even for a getaway that turned into a getaway from the getaway.