Contemplative Run

My run this morning, while not as long as I wanted, was soul refreshing. Because of the recent fresh and continuing snow fall I had no choice but to slow my pace, as well as, be intentional about how and where I placed my feet. The snow muffled the sounds of my footsteps and the usual cacophony of the world around me.

I find that when I calm the musings of my mind the Presence becomes tangible. It is then that a single snowflake becomes a tsunami on the tongue and I am awash in the holiness of the moment. Refreshed, again.

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this, you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore I will trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

-A prayer by Thomas Merton

This panorama was taken on top of a hill, south of the farm I grew up on, looking out over a river valley. Merton's prayer puts to words the longing of my heart and the reality that I live.