Path

Path

The gift of nature surrounds us when we sit still and wait…

Once there was a walk that resonated deeply...it filled my soul. A dear friend challenged a few of us gathered to follow her, to a path just beyond her home. The challenge was to walk in silence and to simply observe. Upon return to the house, my thoughts flowed like a fountain and this “path to ponder” became words on the paper...

Like in search of a coveted, secret sanctuary, we ventured. We left man-made reminders behind us, as if they were images in a rear-view mirror. As we journeyed on, we were followers all at our own pace; yet we were clearly following and being guided by a leader. At a point, the reminders of man’s world began to slowly grow more distant. The hum of a mower fading in and out to my left was slowly overwhelmed by the sounds of the stream and hidden waterfall to my right. As drawn like a moth to the light, the natural beauty to my right clearly captured my focus. The reminders of man’s world, as well as the worries that accompany it, were drowned out by nature’s images of sight and sound.

At the path’s end were timeless reminders for me of God’s love and faithfulness. There was the stream...whose bed was smooth and flat; and then was quickly altered to be rather bumpy with its rocks of varying sizes. However, it just as rapidly became smooth yet again. All the while noticing this, I was reminded of life’s path...with its ever changing surface, yet the assurance of goodness in the end. Along the shore of the stream, I was met with the starkness of how the earth had eroded away...revealing the nakedness of a massive tree’s roots. For me, they were a vivid symbol of perseverance and being rooted in the rich soil of God’s word. For at the bottom of those twisted roots, were patches of the most vibrant and lush green moss. Indeed, beauty is found when rooted in His love. And then, I spied it. I had been searching for something...a visual reminder to take with me...to be reminded of this welcomed respite. The translucent color caught my eye, as it sparkled in the light. The stone was partially buried, but had been exposed enough for the water to wash over it...refining it..smoothing its surface in places. Oh indeed, how the living water does that with each of our lives....shining us so that we can reflect His light for others.

As I headed back on the return home, I reflected on these precious moments in silence. I was reminded that there are paths to be found just like this one. With the beauty He has created, He provides paths such as these. Indeed, they are always there...for me...for you...to travel and to ponder. All we have to do is seek them....seek Him.