The Discovery of the Spot

--an excerpt from a nature journal, January 2007--

And then I knew I had found the perfect spot.  This boulder has an awesome view of the Gorge, rocky cliffs, and half of the New River Gorge Bridge.  It's more than just an amazing view though.  It's the kind of place that begs you to explore it....

The most intriguing part is-- I can hear a waterfall really close but I can't see it.  It's probably rushing through one of the little chasms that I'm too afraid to get to.  In a way, I'm glad I can't see the waterfall, because that way I can imagine it to be bigger and better than it might actually be.  Plus, I like the idea that there's something too wild for me to get to very easily.  For all I know there could be a trail that leads right to the waterfall-- or even a trail that leads to my spot. ... But I don't know for sure, and I like to think that I'm the only one that has seen this place in years, or that knows how to get here.  The sense of mystery and aloneness makes it feel more wild.

It's nice to know that there are still places like this-- places where all the questions aren't answered, or you have to work to find the answer.  What is even more amazing to thing about is that God delights in this place even more than I do-- and He is thrilled that I love it.  How can anyone see a valley so full of trees and rocks that you can't possibly know how many secrets are hiding there-- hear a never-ending waterfall that sounds so alive in a dead winter-- or feel a warm, golden sun and an icy breeze at the same time-- and not be overwhelmed with gratefulness to God? 

Thank you Lord for wild places! 

 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.  Psalm 24:1