An old growth root ball on the beach seen through the fog near Kalaloch, Washington. Notice the Bald Eagle sitting on top! 

We walked along a Pacific Northwest beach this morning, enveloped in fog.

Though we couldn’t see far and the color palette was muted, the scene wasn’t entirely drab. It was a bright gray, full of subtle shades and shadows. Mysterious. Intriguing.

As we walked, my mind drifted to another time of fog—a spiritual one. For nearly a year, I had been in a relational crisis with God. Disillusioned and hurting, I told Him I was done. Done seeking, done serving, done trying.

I told God that if He had any interest in me, He knew where to find me. You may wonder what happened in my life to bring me to such a dire point of disillusionment with He who was everything to me. It’s a story for another time.

Life turned gray. Foggy. Lonely. Empty. No color, no form, no hope. Just a dense, silent haze. God didn’t seem to care, and so neither did I.

But then, without effort or request on my part, my heart, mind, and soul “weather” began to shift.

And when His breath moves—the weather shifts!

A breeze stirred—a gentle divine breath – the very Spirit of God moving. If my journey had been a film, this would be the scene where the lifeless fog begins to swirl, revealing shapes and light. The Spirit was moving, forming something new.

Three days later, I found myself sitting on a stump in the woods—the only place I’d felt any sense of peace during that long year. But this time was different. I felt restless. Aware of change.

Just then, a text came through from a dear friend. She shared a dream she’d had the night before: she saw me surrounded by clouds, and the clouds were breaking up. It was an exact description of what I had been feeling the past 3 days. How could she have known? I had told no one about the fog. I had made it clear to everyone close to me—including my family—that I wasn’t talking about church or ministry. And God was a sore subject.

Her message pierced through. Something deep within me knew: God was shifting the weather.

Fog rarely lifts all at once. It thins slowly, revealing glimpses of what’s around. That’s how it happened for me. The breath of God stirred the fog, and gradually, light, life, and brilliant color broke through.

Jesus knew exactly where to find me—and He did.

It was a defining moment. Jesus was willing to risk so much in our relationship to bring me freedom and experiential knowledge, and certainty of His love. My relationship with God was transformed. So was my perspective on life, in His kingdom and on this earth.

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” —Genesis 1:1–2

Amid my fog, His presence hovered – over me!

Hidden. Creative. In the unseen darkness where I felt abandoned, He was dreaming. Hovering. Speaking new life into being. And just like the beginning of creation, everything He uttered was good—VERY GOOD.

This morning’s walk reminded me of His presence—hovering not just over the waves, but over us.

By the end of the day, the weather had changed entirely!

I am special. But only because God says so. I’m not more special than you, though. That means He hovers over you too! Dreaming, creating, freeing, restoring, healing.

And when His breath moves—the weather shifts.

My beautiful wife and best friend, Roxanne, sharing the moment with Jesus and I!

By the Grace of God – Bethel Music & Brian Johnson

Due to limited time and internet availability, I have not made a featured photo. Any of these photos are available as prints at your request. Simply reach out and let me know.