On the edge of town, bordered by cliff face and surrounded by suburbia, is a beautiful hiking trail. A stream runs through pastureland, flowing under wood bridges, over rocks, and lapping against creek beds graced with irises, aspen trees, and pines.

It is a sanctuary tucked in the midst of the business of our community.

This week I had the opportunity to walk the trail with a friend. It had been far too long since we carved out time to connect, share stories, and soak up the majesty of our surroundings.

As we hiked, we shared updates about family, discussed dreams realized and those in the waiting, paused to admire love declared in sticks and pinecones – birds sang, squirrels darted in and out of their burrows, and those we met on the trail were enthusiastic to share the path.

We took a short pause at the edge of the overlook, pine trees growing directly out of lava rock, an eagle gliding across the blue sky, canyon floor below.

God’s creative work on grand display.

Then as quickly as we had started this adventure, our time together was over. A blink, a much-needed pause in a string of minutes and hours that make up a week.

It’s good to stop time, if only briefly, and reset our perspective, refocus our attention.

As I drove away from the parking lot, I watched the sanctuary fade in my rearview mirror. And as I navigated the twist and turns of the road ahead, I couldn’t help but wonder if there isn’t some way to hold on to the peace I found hidden in the woods. It allowed my breathing to slow, the tension in my shoulders to relax, and calm replaced the usual clamor that goes on in my brain.

I started my day meeting a friend to catch up on lost time and ended the time together finding the comfort of my Father – a divine encounter.

He was alive in the rushing of the stream, the magnitude of the rock face, the gentleness of the birds’ song, the display of love with twigs and cones. I was surrounded by His beauty and experienced His touch.

God uses the ordinary, the every day, the things on the edge of our lives to speak to us. He reminds us that no matter what is going on, He provides a sanctuary. We just need to slow down long enough to see Him, take a step forward, and rest.

Dear Sisters, I want to encourage you to take a perspective-reset moment. Take a walk alone or with a friend, listen to music that moves you, read God’s word, sit patiently, and wait to hear God’s voice encouraging you, consoling you, loving you.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace, as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13, New International Version (NIV)

Be blessed His BeLOVED,