Rediscovering God’s Presence in Spring

God’s Presence in Spring

 

I walk alone on the trail near my home with no iPod, no stopwatch. Just me.

Letting my thoughts go wherever they choose, I let go of the world and practice ‘feeling’.

While my day hasn’t been stressful, there’s a haze that clouds my mind from being cooped up inside taking care of housework and sitting and staring blankly at a screen. It doesn’t take long on the trail for that haze to dissipate.

I understand God is inside of us. Our energy emanates into the world. He’s outside of us too – in the air, in the breeze, in the trees. I feel Him sweep lightly across the bridge of my nose, tickling my eyes – just a touch saying, “I’m here. I’m here.”

The creek runs beside me, faster than I move as I stroll leisurely along enjoying the feel of truly being outside for the first time since fall.

In the distance, I hear a car. It’s too far to interfere with the sounds of nature, almost blending in as part of God’s plan. Perhaps it is.

On a park basketball court, there’s the thump thump of a ball and boys calling out to each other using words they probably wouldn’t at home in front of their mothers. Being boys. Carefree in the spring. I hear God even in the words they choose – their happiness and care for each other. The camaraderie in their tones.

Birds fly everywhere. Robins, a blue jay, others I don’t know. I wish I could tell the differences in their calls. I would try to write the sounds but my words wouldn’t do them justice.

A squirrel skitters across the walk in front of me, pauses in the grass, and then races off and up a tree before I can get too close.

I go deep enough into the trail that I no longer hear the cars. I feel isolated but not alone. God fills me with His presence. I know He’s with me.

A little boy on a scooter passes me, the chug chug of the wheels on the sidewalk adding to my experience. The joy on his face makes me happy.

A siren blares somewhere, I feel sad for whom it’s for. They aren’t on the trail experiencing God. Maybe they think God has abandoned them in their trouble. I say a quick prayer for them that they might know Him right where they are, no matter their situation.

Dogs bark in yards somewhere nearby. I see a bicycle abandoned at the side of the creek, and I imagine its owner is somewhere close by wading in the still cold water, chasing after guppies or tadpoles. I remember all the tadpoles I caught as a child and grin.

I’m thankful to know God’s presence, for the time to remove myself from the distractions of every day life so that I might recognize that He’s with me. I know returning home doesn’t mean I’ll part from Him. I’m never apart from Him; He’s a part of me. But this time spent only with Him has given my spirit refreshment.

Love in Him,
Julie

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