Fast forward 20+ years, even in a time when I have discovered real Love* and been equipped with real hope, I had all but forgotten that desire to visit the Great Lakes and behold the majestic Niagara Falls. But God.
In 2013, God gave me a vision in which I saw myself being in the USA and also Canada. In May this year, as I journeyed in faith hand-in-hand with Father, I found myself in upstate New York - I had been in the USA for nearly 3 months by then so a part fulfilment of the 2013 vision. I was very close to the Canadian border and wondered if I would go there. Indeed it was to be as Holy Spirit led me into Canada for the first time, specifically to Kingston, a lovely town which is on one of the Great Lakes! Yes, I got to see Lake Ontario with my own eyes. It was a wonderful few hours on a warm Spring day and I felt loved in each moment I spent there. God had remembered my heart's desire and not only that, He had fulfilled it. I shared my delight with my mom and she suggested going to Niagara Falls too but I was only in Canada for a few hours and the Falls were on the far west side of Lake Ontario so that was not possible then, but I began to hope...
My first view of Lake Ontario...
I was resting in the UK after my mission in the USA ended and was also asking God, what next? I try to have a blank page when asking these questions so I have no expectations and am open to whatever Holy Spirit shows me. Still, I wasn't expecting Him to say, Toronto! Canada again, so soon, it seemed my few hours in Kingston was just a foretaste. As I was preparing to leave for Toronto, I took some time apart to seek God for anything He wanted to share with me to equip me for my stay in Canada. He gave me a vision in which a lady I would meet, would say to me, 'you haven't been to Niagara Falls?! Well, I'll have to take you there.' I journaled it and thanked God that He would raise up a friend for me and also that I would have some company when that dream came true. It's always nice to have someone to ooooh and aaaah with!
I have been in Toronto for nearly three months and in that time I have been tempted a few times to book a day tour to the Falls. I was surprised to pick up a pamphlet in the foyer one Sunday, there was even a tour operated by someone at church. For me it was a sign, God was saying, it's on it's way. Every time I had funds available, asked Holy Spirit if the money was for a Niagara Falls day tour but I had no peace, so didn't book. He had a plan and I had to be content to wait on His timing.
Then about two weeks ago, the mother of my host family, knowing of my desire to see the Falls, suggested either joining a day tour that was being organised for some church visitors leaving that Sunday OR going with her to Niagara Falls. She had no idea about my vision months earlier. This, I knew, was the moment I stepped into the dream becoming a reality, I chose to go with her and her children.
I admit, at first glance it was all a bit surreal to me, a kind of pinch-me-I'm-dreaming moment. It took a little while to let the pounding waters of reality penetrate my half-awake mind. But they did! As I gazed at the waters that flowed unabated, thousands of clear blue-green litres per minute, I was in awe of God, His power and majesty and I was very grateful. I had great joy as the spray of the Falls plastered us; the tour boat carried us as close to the horseshoe falls as was safely possible.
As I gazed at the wonder before me, I heard these words, Psalm 42:7 Deep calls to deep at the noise of your waterfalls, all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.
Sometimes life can seem so overwhelming, like circumstances are swallowing us up. The psalmist knew something of this. Those crashing waters of Niagara Falls are beautiful to watch yet deadly if you're swept up in them. In the midst of a dream, like this one, coming true, you may find yourself, like me, still contending for the greater promises to manifest. I did not consciously pray about going to Niagara Falls, I did not harbour a constant longing for it for years as I do for some other things. It was a silent prayer of the heart from many years ago. Yet, God heard and He chose to make it a reality. Where does that leave us with the things we are praying in faith for, sometimes for years?
The psalmist goes on, thank God, he doesn't remain churning in the waters. In the midst of feeling swept up in what seems like hopeless circumstances, we can STILL have hope, verse 8 says: By day the Lord commands His steadfast love and at night His song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.
Day and night God is with us. While He is making one desire come to life, He is working on the others He has planted in our hearts. Our enduring faith is pleasing to Him.** Keep going! The last verse of that psalm says: Hope in God for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.
Look for His hand in each day and continue to ask for the little things as well as the big things. When you see His hand at work, even in the minutiae, allow yourself to be encouraged that we are one step closer!
If Father was working behind the scenes to make Niagara Falls possible, imagine what else He is working on...
* 1 John 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God for God is love.
** Hebrews 11:6 Without faith it is impossible to please God for whoever comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
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