PRICELESS SOLITUDE

WRITTEN in 2011. Like Alice in Wonderland, as a little camper I was speechless with admiration for natures wild and sublime grandeur.  A torrent of power and beauty washed over me and through me with a loud, spirit filled silence that spoke eloquently and profoundly, that God does imperially and emphatically exist.  Transfixed with an exalted sense of being, my eyes dripped with tremendous tears of emotion as they gazed upon the silent vista across Silver Lake.  The towering granite cliffs and the snow melt avalanche of fresh water that fills the lake is surrounded by a grand grove of majestic Sequoia trees that have weathered 2,000 years ~  Their twiggy limbs stretch up in praise of the One who created them.  What a gift from our loving Father, whose great delight it is to usher His children along into a Disneyland that twirls us about to give thanks to our beloved Dad!  Absolutely enchanted by Dad’s great joy in witnessing my discovery of all that He has done for me, I descended into the hypnotic romance of Camp Minkalo.  "Hi lo, any many taca, umpi wa wa, hepti minica, honica, sonica, little loco, woo woo! Forever after sleeping in a teepee under an umbrella of majesty,  I became a zealot, an absolute fanatic of God’s creation.  With quaking hesitation I humbly give God the glory with this simple utterance intended to glorify God Almighty.  I am filled with honor for His thought of what would delight me, what would speak to me ~ to assure me with such overwhelming confidence that my Father; the Creator of all things did this for my pleasure and knowledge of Him. AMAZING! My words beg to not diminish His

purpose in creating the seasons, the snow, and the scripture of nature. What a treasure to look up at what appears to be an old gothic cathedral of rocks with spires that point up ~ to the glorious happy works of God.  Every tree and bush grew from a seed planted with a great purpose. The natural grace and charm of the quiet of lakes surrounded by majestic tall, tall pines uplifts, regenerates and washes my mind and spirit. Insanity is to attempt to prove by logic or reason that beauty exists ~ What method of intellect can prove that a sunrise is beautiful? Just like science cannot unhinge the sensory of a haunting, wistful fragrance from the nostril of an individual’s truth, so too science cannot prove that God does not exist. Deliriously happy to rise with the Son, how beautiful and amazing are His ways!  GOD calls me to "come " get away with Jesus in the garden. Tis how I refresh and renew when the cares of life become draining.  It is time to take my body up to a mountain peak that speaks to my soul. I long for quiet time alone with my Lord.  My heart longs to sing in the wind and spend a night in the wild among the beasts and the blooms. A three day get-away into the sculptures fashioned by the Father for my leisure and pleasure. To smile awhile in His presence -- to accept His most generous present of mighty trees that

dwarf me into thanksgiving. Responding to Thy precious call, I run to hide away with Thee.   In 1851 the astonishing beauty of Yosemite Valley and the geyser wonderland of Yellowstone give birth to the radical idea of creating national parks for the enjoyment of everyone. John Muir is the eloquent defender of nature and the poet of the trees, canyons and uninterrupted vista's created by God to nurture the souls of mankind.  Imagine Peter the fisherman's delight as he looked upon the waters.  Peter was afraid when the wind tossed "But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Matthew 14:30
In nature the winds sing, and the clouds hover atop the sea and mountains.  As we look up in awe, our non-verbal response to nature, our indwelt giddy reply to the lesson of Jesus to Nicodemus

"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:8  We stand erect and gaze with amazement as the wind blows and bends trees. While we are here, we can weather each storm with dignity as we trust God and keep our eyes on Him. The Rock of ages can only be heard as we stand still, and listen for the voice of God.