God's country, right?
I don't know where we were. It was pretty. With friends at the wheel, I didn't pay attention. I was distracted by baby-white wildflowers which covered the landscape like a dusting of snow. We got out of the car and started walking a trail that reminded me of Africa -- red earth and green hills. But the horizon was pure Scotland, minus mortarless rock walls or yellow gorse.
Our Friends Chris and Patty provided the guidance and companionship. We hiked to the mesa and looked down at Millerton Lake and the San Joaquin River snaking into it. OK, now with my bearings secured I could imagine myself a Miwok seeing this scene for the first time. This isn't Scotland or Africa -- this is 30 minutes from my house and I have never been here. OK, 30 minutes plus two hours hike up hill.
Tina did really well. Her new hiking shoes worked out, and her sky blue hiking blouse danced up the trails wicking sweat away just as advertised. The afternoon sun illuminated her beauty and she glowed. It started to cool off on our hike back to the car, but the challenge of the trail soon made us stop to rest.
When people say they experience God in the countryside, it often makes us want to scream. God is in the face of an inner-city kid who is learning to read. God is in the alley that has just been cleaned. God is in the house that is being renovated by a hopeful couple. God is in the teacher who prays for her student who has to navigate gang territory to get to school. God is in the tired Dad who still goes to a community meeting because things are being discussed that affect his neighborhood. God is in the Mayor's boardroom, the prostitute's bedroom, the casino's back room. We don't have to go to the countryside, OK? He's in relationships, in suffering, in decision making, in the built environment, not just the created one. OK?
And OK, God is on the Mesa looking down at his handiwork. I needed the reminder. I need to do this more often.
3 comments:
yay for adventures!! For hiking in beautiful places with beautiful people!
Thanks for sharing!
[url=http://www.drawingboard.org/blogs/?u=videoseanson7]Nidesoft DVD to PSP Converter 3.1.28[/url] [url=http://lecturer.elektrounesa.org/?u=videosearabella0]Xilisoft Video Converter 3.1.51.0114b[/url]
KingConvert DVD To HTC Touch Pro2 BS Player pro 2.7
http://www.drawingboard.org/blogs/?u=videoseaida2 DVD ReBuilder 1.26.6
[url=http://www.drawingboard.org/blogs/?u=videosealisya0]Bs Player Pro 2.21[/url] [url=http://www.drawingboard.org/blogs/?u=videosealisya8]Video Copilot: Film Magic Pro[/url]
Vjamm Blueprint Xilisoft DivX to DVD Converter 3.0.34
http://lecturer.elektrounesa.org/?u=videoseamarilla7 iSkysoft Video Converter
Media Center for TomTom
my icq:858499940385
Dear Randy and Tina,
I am a friend of Rachel (Moore) Hagues, who encouraged me to reach out to you about a special concert series that is coming through the Fresno area in June to benefit International Justice Mission.
I'd love to tell you more about it, but it looks like the phone number I have for you no longer works. A quick Google search led me here instead! (By the way, I love what you have shared in this blog. I think we could have a lot of great conversations about books and authors we mutually enjoy!)
Would you mind e-mailing me so I can connect with you about this concert series? My email address is csquires (at) storyville (dot) com.
Thank you so much!
Warmly,
Christianne
Post a Comment