In the middle of sorting through my fears, dreams, hopes,
and future plans I have found an Eden.
The wildness is calling me.
Lately, on my days off I am outside.
I’m running the trails behind Fullerton. I am in the
mountains with my family. I am pinching the flowering heads off of my basil
plants, and leaning into and the rich, deep smell of homegrown tomatoes in the
sunshine. When I’m inside, I’m wearing woolen hiking socks and T-Shirt that
says “Go climb a rock.” I am smelling the left-over bonfire smoke in my hair
and reading John Muir letters.
The wildernesses outside and inside collide.
Life is huge. It is full of things we do not understand.
There are great joys and great tragedies. And sometimes in the rush and crush
of overwhelming feelings we miss the grandiosity, the extravagance and joy.
Nature is lifeline that ties my soul to a greatness and goodness that is beyond me.
Years ago my family was in Yosemite for the Thanksgiving holiday.
We were hiking in the Sequoias- the great trees near the southern entrance to
the park. My younger cousin was walking next to me holding my hand. In the
trees and the mist of the low laying clouds, she asked me, “Who is older, the
trees or God?” The big, red, towering trunks drew our souls upward. I answered,
“Well, God made the trees. So, He must be older, right?” I think He must be
bigger and older, and far beyond our understanding.
I don’t want to be afraid of uncertainty, of deep emotions or
of what comes next So, I look at the rocks, the trees and the
symmetry, perfection and vastness of nature and I rest. I imagine all things
made new, the joy that comes in the morning, and the face of the one who set
the stars up in the sky.
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in
and pray in where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” –John Muir
Wildness heals, frees and strengthens our hearts, or at least it does for mine.
Let's wander there for a little while together.
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