The Father Meets Us Where We’re at
I needed to spend time
with the Father. The urge within me beckoned me to the great outdoors where I usually follow the trails or simply wander off
in the forest and talk to my Father.
It is still winter and
snow still covers the landscape but as the river starts flowing, there is the promise of spring not far away. As I veer onto
the trail I hear the chatter of the blue jays and the chirping of the chickadees. Rabbit and squirrel tracks in the snow all
add to a tranquil scenery ideal to dialogue with my Father. I praise Him for His wonderful creation and sense His presence
all around me.
The trail leads to a
valley some distance away, but as I glance around me, I see to my left the incline of a hill, I know that on the other side
it drops steeply to the river below that flows from the same valley. I am distracted and want to climb. I leave the trail
and work my way upward, grabbing the branches of the cedar trees to aid my ascent. Though not yet in sight I can now hear
the river below and descend rapidly, sliding most of the way while steering myself around the trees and brush. The river isn’t
deep and not very wide, but the flow is swift as it hurries its way across the small rapids, eroding the ice along its banks
which until recently froze the complete river. I carefully stepped into the flowing water, which came only inches from the
top of my boots. As I banged the overhanging ice with my stick, I watched the falling chunks float downstream, quickly forming
a jam at a narrow passage, causing the river to rise where I stood. I made my way upstream, playfully continuing my game and
losing track of time till I noticed the sun touching the horizon. It was time to go back and as I reached that final bend
in the river, I made my way back up the bank, navigating my way to the trail I had left some time earlier. I suddenly remembered
that I had sought out this trail to spend time with the Father. I reminded Him of my plan, how I had wanted to talk to Him
and for a small moment I felt awful, but it quickly faded by an overwhelming awareness of His presence and a wonderful peace
which flooded my soul. As I contemplated this occurrence, looking for meaning, I realized a freedom within myself. The Father
uniquely created and gifted me with a playful nature.
“But Lord, was
I not here to walk?
To take these trails
where we then talk?”
“O no, Casey not
so today…
We’ve simply come
out here to play”
What a freedom! I just
learned that the Father meets us where we’re at.
Casey Overbeek, April
2005
