Walking with the Ancients

The steady crashing of waves on sandstone woke me from a light sleep. The sun was already up over Superior, and we had to make a quick breakfast before continuing our trek along the lakeshore.

Pack the tents, clean the campsite, start walking.

The peace all around was breathtaking. No human noise except the sound of our feet trudging along the path; just waves, the wind through the trees, and birds ministering their morning songs to us.

A seagull cries overhead, and I appreciate it in its true home.

Hours pass with few breaks from hiking. In such a setting, cheap jerky and dried fruit make me feel like all is right with the world. Much beauty is passed by on a tiring journey.

I hear the throaty call of a raven, and stop to look up.

Now standing in an old-growth forest, I am dwarfed by those around me. The trees are old...very old. Their branches and trunks are covered in moss. I take a deep breath, and the musty yet pleasant aroma of hundreds of mushrooms takes over my senses.

The throne room of an ancient fay kingdom has appeared before me.

It seems as though God granted this place a special sense of ancient solitude. My companions were ahead somewhere, and I was along with God and His forest...my forest. This silent, hallowed woodland inspired a deep, emotional reverence in me to which few things in life can compare.

I walked out of the forest along the path, and resumed as though nothing had happened.

These moments, gifts from God, come frequently if you allow yourself to see beauty in all things. Enjoy them, thank God for them, but know they are fleeting on this earth.

One day He will come again and perfect us.

One day the earth will be made new.

One day beauty will no longer be elusive.

One day.

Peace.