Pain and Providence in Paradise

Trying to explain God is futile. Trying to interpret his providence is like repeatedly pushing the button at a crosswalk in order to make the light change faster. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts and his ways are higher than our ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9) He is God and we are not. Try as we might, we’re not going to adequately define him or put him in a box. 

Still, I’m part of a group of Christians who believe that God is at work in the world. He loves us and providentially cares for us. He ensures that, ultimately, all things work together for good. (Romans 8:28) That doesn’t mean today will seem “good” or easy—mine wasn’t. You may be fighting cancer, trying to make ends meet, or fighting to save your marriage. I get that. What it does mean is that, for those who put their faith in God—who trust and obey—your story ends well…regardless of how or when it ends.

Today, our 10th day on Maui, started out with great promise. We were finally going to begin our journey on the Road to Hana—Maui’s #1 attraction. The 53-mile long, picturesque, curvy road is like a highway of undiscovered treasures waiting to be opened. Those who know me well will not be surprised that I have done extensive research and had a plan. Over a period of three non-consecutive days, Janet and I would travel the road in three sections and make 29 different stops, to include notable nature hikes, funky food huts, historic church buildings, and scenic overlooks. Getting behind the wheel this morning, I felt like a wide-eyed 8-year-old on Christmas morning.

As boxer and renowned philosopher Mike Tyson once put it, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Today I got punched in the mouth. 

At mile marker 2, the first recommended stop on the Road to Hana, we pulled into a rocky parking lot at the Twin Falls trailhead. The one-mile, roundtrip hike through a rainforest is easy, accessible, and breathtaking. We stopped for photos along the way and even had the opportunity to ford a shallow stream.

Upon arriving at the Falls, Janet asked if I was going in for a dip. Of course, she already knew the answer. I have a bit of an adventurous streak in me that compels me to go on long hikes, explore the unknown, stretch my comfort zone, and extract every ounce of fun from whatever setting I’m in. When I’m in Maui for what may be my only trip here, at a waterfall I may never see again, I’m going to get wet! It’s how I’m wired.

Twin Falls, Road to Hana

About 11 a.m., I swam over to the waterfall and let the cold, refreshing water crash down upon me. So exhilarating! Along with the other tourists frolicking in the water around me, I felt so alive! This was a special place—I had opened the first of 29 Road to Hana gifts!

Photo by Paul Stamatiou

As I turned to swim back to shore, I noticed a mother and her three children off to my left. One of the boys, about 10 years old, was up on a boulder, just a couple feet above the waterline, holding on to a long vine that extended from the roof of the cavern. Clutching the vine, he jumped from the rock, swung out into the water, and dropped with a scream and a splash. How fun! The little voice in my head spoke up, “You’ve got to do that!”

I swam over toward the vine and watched as the other children took their turns on the swinging vine. I realized they are children and I am not. I understood they are little, lightweight bluegills and I am a pudgy, 55-year-old manatee. But the voice in my head persisted, “You’ve got to do this!” As Seals and Crofts once put it, “We may never pass this way again.” Carpe diem!

I stepped up on the rock, steadied myself, and reached for the vine. I looked out to ensure the landing zone was plenty deep and free of obstructions. As vine/rope swings go, this one was pretty lame. I would travel 8 or 9 feet, at most, and then plop into the water with a splash.

I gripped the vine as high as I could, jumped off the rock, and swung just a few feet before releasing my grip and splashing into the water. But right as I hit the water, something came crashing down on my head! That something turned out to be a dozen or so rocks that had dislodged in the cavern ceiling above me, although the vine remained in place.

As I staggered to my feet, the mom swimming nearby, with a look of horror on her face, said, “Oh my! You’re bleeding bad! You need to get to shore!” I looked down and my entire chest was covered in blood, along with my hands. My first thought was to put direct pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding, so I reached for the source of pain—the back of my head—and applied pressure. As Janet scrambled to make her way over from the other side of the shore, a man steadied me and helped me to the shallow rocks. I never lost consciousness but I’m pretty sure I was in shock for several minutes.

What happened next may be considered by some to be “good luck” or “random good coincidence.” But as a believer, I’m not ruling God out of the equation. Granted, I can’t calculate the spiritual equation—can’t fully explain it. But somehow, someway, I believe God was involved, providing providential care. I don’t know how else to explain it.

First, at the moment the rocks came crashing down on my head, a couple of firemen were nearby doing a safety inspection of the trail, due to the heavy rains that had recently fallen. They hurried over to me and took over, treating the gash in my head and examining the abrasions on my back and right arm. They were calm, collected, and reassuring—true professionals. God bless them! Joining them was an older woman of German descent who we assume is an employee of the farm this trail is on. She just happened to have a 4-wheeler!

So, I rode shotgun as Janet and one of the firemen got in the backseat. With blood still trickling down my head, I overheard Janet strike up a conversation with the fireman. It turns out he’s a fireman originally from Chicago, and she binge watches Chicago Fire, a show about hunky firefighters from Chicago. So the two of them had a lot in common and a lot to talk about. Don’t mind me! I’ll be up here with a gushing head wound if you need me! Just messing—but I’ll probably get her a Firemen’s calendar for Christmas!

After our half-mile journey on a way too bumpy trail, we were met at the trailhead by several other firemen. They examined my body, reapplied bandages, and asked a bunch of questions, in search of concussion symptoms. To her credit, Janet did not mention any suspected injuries of herself to them.

We declined their offer to call an ambulance. Janet felt comfortable driving the 30 or so minutes back into town and to the nearest hospital. She drove the curvy road like a champ!

Janet dropped me off at the ER check-in, a tent just outside the main building, while she went to park. I was surrounded by patients with an array of ailments. And here’s where God’s providence seemed to be working overtime again. I struck up a conversation with a patient sitting directly across from me, also in the queue to be treated. I’ll call him Andy. 

I immediately hit it off with this 31-year-old of Indian descent, who spent most of his life in Georgia. We somehow connected. I explained what brought me to the ER and he reciprocated. Andy came to the island a little over a year ago on business, intending to stay a short while, and then Covid hit. He has an ongoing struggle with alcoholism and was there at the ER to get treatment—“to detox.” Our conversation turned to why we were in Maui which led to a rich conversation on our faith journeys. He has roots in Hinduism but is searching for answers and is “looking for Jesus.” What an opportunity!

By this time, Janet had parked the car and returned to join in on the conversation. We invited Andy to come worship with us and do lunch or just hang out. He intends to do so, hopefully by next Sunday, when his detox is over. I asked if I could pray for him and he said that would be great. About halfway through the prayer, I became overwhelmed with emotion and started to tear up…something that also happened two months ago while praying with my dad. More than anything, I think it dawned on me that the incident near the waterfall, bad as it was, could have been far worse. I, along with that nearby family with children, could have been killed. God spared us. I also felt the emotion of the opportunity God had given me to minister to a young man in the fight of his life. Maybe that, and not snorkeling with sea turtles, is why The Johnsons are really on Maui.

I eventually got taken to a room inside where I got 5 shots of anesthetic, 8 staples in the head, a cleansing of the head, arm and back wounds, a tetanus shot, and a prescription for antibiotic. After waiting 35 minutes for the shot, a nurse came in to check the wounds and said I needed 3 more staples. Those 3 staples felt far worse than the first 8—maybe the anesthetic had worn off some. I can only describe the pain as, well, someone shooting staples in your head. 

Chicago Fire, Baby!

So now we’re back home and I’m reflecting on the day that was.

I’m so impressed with Janet, the love of my life, for her calmness, her driving an injured man along the curvy Road to Hana, and her washing around my head wounds this evening.

I’m just overflowing with thankfulness to God, perhaps more than I’ve ever been before.

He spared my life and has given me a new lease on life.

He saw fit, somehow, to have firemen nearby as blood gushed from my head…and provided a sweet, little German woman on a 4-wheeler.

And, most importantly, he gave me the opportunity to pray with a young man and talk to him about Jesus. We talked (texted) again tonight, just before he was admitted. I hope you’ll pray for Andy too—God knows his real name.

Day 10 in Maui had some pain, for sure. But it also, I believe, had some providence. 

And oh, by the way, had those rocks killed me, that would have been okay, too. 

My story ends well.

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32 thoughts on “Pain and Providence in Paradise”

  1. Oh, yes, I believe in God’s presence and Providence in the lives of His children. He has more for you to do!

  2. Thankful you are all right and you
    have the opportunity with Andy. Also
    Thankful for all the help you received and Janet being there for you! Prayers for good recovery and also for Andy!

  3. Good grief! Thankful you two are ok! Sometimes God puts us where we need to be. Prayers for safety for the remainder of your trip.

  4. So thankful you and Janet are safe! God is good always!! Praying for your healing and Andy’s open heart. ❤️❤️

    1. Yes, and the little box of complimentary snacks is uninspiring. Up in first class they have beds. Beds!

  5. A beautiful and inspiring story! Sure glad everyone is fine! We never know how God will use us, can’t even dream of the ways God uses his people. Prayers for you, Janet, and Andy, God bless all your efforts! Miss you guys! Pixie Dust and Dust….lol!

  6. Romans 8:28 truly applies to all that we do and are. His story is truly our story. So glad you survived so we can meet again. love you two

  7. What an awesome story Steve. So glad you’re okay. You’re so right, God uses us in some very strange ways sometimes. But that is his awesomeness. Thankful God put all those wonderful people in the right place at the right time. You’re right about one other thing also, you have a rock beside you and also an awesome individual (Janet). Love you guys. Looking forward to seeing you two again.

    1. Hey, Brother Tee, aka Dust! Thankful for a loving God and the awesome wife he blessed me with!

  8. Praise God! I love this story! “All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to his purpose”
    I’m glad you are safe!

  9. I find it amazing how God goes to such great lengths to put us in the right place at the right time to influence someone’s life. We need to keep our eyes open for such opportunities. Enjoy the rest of your stay.

    1. Thanks, Ellen. Maybe if I were more mindful of opportunities, God wouldn’t have to drop rocks on my head! Just kidding–I don’t think he “caused” the situation–just used it to present an opportunity.

  10. Wow! Just wow! So glad you were not hurt worse and that the family nearby was not hurt! We never know for sure when God is working for our benefit, but I choose to give Him the credit.
    Also, awesome encounter with Andy. You may just be in Maui “for such a time as this”. God is amazing and works in mysterious ways!
    We are praying you heal quickly and thanking God you were not hurt worse! Praying that Andy can, with God’s help, overcome his addiction and that he may be led to Jesus Christ!

  11. Johnson Family Adventures, Part ???

    In the future, May you be comforted in the knowledge that all bleeding stops…eventually 😂

    Thankful for a loving and compassionate God who looks after those in need. ALL of those in need. It’s easy to forget that sometimes that includes us, too!

    1. “All bleeding stops…eventually.” I’m writing that down so I don’t freak out after my next vine swing.

  12. I love this post SO much, Steve. I’m thankful for so many things:
    that you’re okay and for all of the people who helped you get to this point; for the love of your life who continues to help you; and for Andy. I have a good friend who always reminds us to pay attention to the people God puts in our path and I feel that God connected you and Andy at a time when he needed you (and God) most. I pray that this is the beginning of a wonderful new walk for Andy. I hope that you’re feeling better and pray that God will continue to bless you and Janet on your adventures on Maui!

    1. Thank you, Sarah Keith. I will have a scar, but the wounds are healing and I finally slept through the night last night. Andy is also doing well and is in a much better place.

  13. Only you, Steve. Only you!

    Thanks for a wonderful read and thought-provoking outlook. Get well, my friend.

    1. Thanks, Brother! I’m healing up well. Might could use a few chiropractic adjustments if you want to stop by!

  14. This is ‘Andy’. : )

    Glory to God. Thank you Jesus Christ for calling me when I was 14 and walking with me for all these years. You never let go of my hand despite all the times I tried to let go of yours. Thank you for whispering verses into my ear when I was afraid and comforting me.

    God spared both of our lives because we both have Work to do. I just want to love Creation as the Creator does and serve all beings as Jesus and Buddha did. Nothing else in this world speaks to my heart.

    I’m not sure if I’ll belong to particular religion or school of thought because all of it is God to me. It’s all good in the grand scheme, everyone will eventually find the Kingdom when they become like Children again.

    My real name means ‘eternal’ in one language and ‘to love’ in another. So it’s only fitting that God would Work through Andy because that’s why Andy exists at all.

    Steve, Nancy – look forward to meeting up again and going on some adventures before you leave. No jumping or climbing, just walking with God and admiring Creation.

    Going to a Bible-based recovery group tonight at a local church. I went to the same Church on Sunday. On the ride over, I spoke with a friend about the Kingdom and how I’m becoming a Child again. The sermon was about Matthew 18. This synchronicity of this just confirms my faith and that God is walking with me every step of the way. I feel like the Prodigal Son, He has been waiting for me to come back Home for so long.

    God bless all of you. Thank you for your kind words and open hearts.

    1. “Andy” 🙂 – So glad our paths crossed, even under difficult circumstances. I look forward to many more conversations about life and faith. We are all the Prodigal Son, in a sense. But his story has a happy ending in the arms of his loving father! Janet and I would definitely love an insider’s tour of Haleakala. Praying for you every day, my friend, and look forward to seeing you Sunday! Stay strong!

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