Engaging the Senses

I have a new favorite hiking trail, deep in the heart of an old-growth forest. As I admire the ancient, statuesque hardwoods looming high above me, they evoke gratefulness to The Creator for allowing us to live in this beautiful place. I can almost hear the mountains and trees singing praise to God (Isaiah 44:23) and I'm reminded of some of my favorite lyrics about mountain cathedrals with “altars made of evergreen and windows made of sky.” (Bob Bennett)

I'm a bit out of breath as I begin the subtle incline, but I'm determined to continue. A few hundred yards into my hike, a snake slithers across the trail. My heart races as there have been warnings of copperhead activity, based on their love of cicadas. (East Tennessee has been a central location for the cicada emergence after 17 years.) Was that a copperhead? I try to remember photos I've seen of these venomous snakes and I'm tempted to turn back from this trek into the now seemingly more dangerous forest. I decide to stick it out and my pace quickens.

Deeper into the forest, the trail begins running parallel to a creek. Its joyful sound thrills my heart and I stop numerous times to photograph the lovely cascades. As a child, my family owned a cabin on the other side of the Great Smoky Mountains. It was a dream-come-true each summer when we made our way from South Florida to “Beechwood Lodge” in Pisgah National Forest. Many hours were spent building dams, catching salamanders, and playing in the creek that ran in front of our cabin. I remember falling asleep at night listening to the sweet lullaby of that creek, albeit much smaller than the one I'm currently crossing. I dip my hand into the icy water and appreciate the momentary reprieve from the warmth of this summer afternoon. I can't help but wonder if the creek knows its power to evoke these precious memories of a bygone era? I sigh and take a deep breath of the sweet mountain air.

Our move here has been challenging, to say the least. It has been a lonely time for me, but loneliness often reminds us that God is always with us. I take comfort in the fact that He “keeps track of all my sorrows. He has collected all my tears in His bottle....He is on my side!” (Psalm 56:8-9) Surrounding myself with His creation reminds me of His faithfulness and love and so I pray that I will be more intentional about spending time exploring the amazing beauty of this place we call home.