Up to the Mountain to Pray

 ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.-Matthew 14:23


Richard is in California for two weeks, so my usual hiking buddy was not available.  So I set out to South Mountain by myself yesterday.  I went a little earlier than usual.  The temps were in the upper 70's, the humidity was low, the sun was shining and there was almost no one else at the park when I arrived.  What a great day for a hike!


I am an introvert at heart, so I have no problem being by myself... I actually look forward to alone time.  But as I got into my hike, I realized how long it has been since I have been truly alone with my thoughts and with my God.


Our lives are so filled with others, even when we think we are alone.  Cell phones, television, internet, IPODs, or just even the mindless games we play on the computer all vie for our thoughts and time every moment of every day.  Even our solitary drives to work are usually filled with some kind of prattle coming from the radio and dealing with the traffic and noise.  


Are we afraid to really be alone?  Do we fear being without distractions?


It was SO quiet on my walk.  I listened for the sounds around me... birds, cicadas, the bubble and splash of the creek below, the occasional crackle of limbs and bushes as some forest animal moved nearby... spoiled only by the sound of the occasional aircraft overhead.  I was completely unplugged and by myself.  And... I was in the midst of God's creation.  It was breathtaking.  And as I walked I had this sense of it not simply being me IN God's creation, but it was me as PART OF God's creation.  I experienced a kind of loss of my sense of self as I blended into the whole picture.


It was a wonderful time with God.  I highly recommend taking 30-60 minutes each day to completely unplug.  We can't really connect with God until we can find ourselves.


Creator God,
Thank you for special time with you in the beauty of your creation.  Help me to remember to put down the computer and cell phone and turn off the television for a little while each day.  Amen.


Joys:  Hiking by myself; relaxing morning; 4 more days until Richard gets home


*please pray for my friend Donna who is having a hysterectomy today.