Someone I know recently spent a week in the woods with a group of people and said it was fabulous. I don’t know exactly what activities they pursued while there and I don’t even know into what woods they went. But they left civilization for some kind of an experience that wasn’t their normal day to day routine. I found myself a bit jealous, thinking, “I want to spend a week in the woods!” Doesn’t that sound nice?
A week in the woods? Unless you don’t like woods. But forget that for a moment. I’m ignoring things like bugs and wild bears and sleeping on the ground when I think of a week in the woods. I’m thinking of the stillness those words imply. Maybe we can make a way to the woods with words. Close your eyes and…never mind, open them so you can read.
Come! Sojourn with me for a while in the woods and be still.
Nothing
To see
But trees.
Maybe a faint path to follow.
The quietness of the early morning sun peeking
Through the leaves of the trees above my head.
The bright chirping of birds and
The soft rustling sounds of small creatures
That try as I might
I can’t seem to see.
The rough texture of tree bark.
The softness of moss.
The faint gurgling of a brook just beyond the bend.
The surprise of a meadow bursting with wildflowers.
The gentle eyes of a doe with her fawn.
The mystery of shadows flitting
Here and there with the whim of the wind.
Falling leaves that don’t seem to stop
Swirling just because they reach my feet.
The promise of something just beyond
That next thicket.
Standing,
Immobile.
Waiting
In the woods.
Waiting
With the woods.
No words
Needed.
Just
Ready,
Waiting.
Oh, what we can see and hear in the stillness!
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!
Psalms 46:10 NKJV
