Playdates with God: Wonder Land

I walk down River Trail—hugged by trees and moss-covered hills. There is not another soul in sight and the information I have says this goes on for five miles. I will have to walk through the river a little bit and there are some steep parts and I am giddy with anticipation. This is what I came for—this time alone to walk with God—and I ask Him to please watch out for bears.

I don’t get far though—maybe a mile—when I see a spot of sun shining through a copse of trees. Those naked leaves—their beauty bared by the shed of chlorophyll—shine like colored glass winking in the light. I leave the trail, cut down the mossy bank and over sleeping trees—crunching through the deep of fallen leaves and brambles until I stand in that little knoll of sunlight. The trees are shifting in the wind—leaves rustling like petticoats and I lift my eyes to watch them sway against the blue.

I think how I would like to catch a picture of a leaf falling—pluck that beauty from the sky with my camera and carry it home. I lie down on my back and poise the camera just so. I try and try. But I can’t get the shutter speed fast enough or my finger won’t press the button in time and I never can seem to catch grace falling down.

Just be still.

I hear the Voice and remember. I do not come alone.

I lower the camera to my side.

And that’s when the wind begins sweeping up the sky and the sudden shifting in the breeze lets down a cascade of gems and they float down soft all around me. I am laughing out loud as I reach out my hands and try to catch these leafy stars and I stay right there for the longest time.

Because all the world’s a wonderland.

How do you embrace the God-joy? Every Monday I’ll be sharing one of my Playdates with God. I would love to hear about yours. It can be anything: outside, quiet time. Maybe it’s solitary. Maybe it’s loud and crowded. Just find Him. Be with Him. Grab my button at the bottom of the page and join us:

The Playdates button:

Sharing with Laura Barkat today also: