And so in those first steps on the prayer trail I allow the vestiges of any mask to be gently erased by His love.
A little uneven with a stubble of grass here and there, this trail has been tractor mowed specifically for anyone who would like to be alone with God. It has been trodden not only by my feet, but by my children, my grandchildren, by neighbors, by friends, by students, by local pastors. It has become hallowed ground. We have all met with God, discussed with God, been encouraged by His presence, and dropped to our knees on this hallowed ground. As I walk, I think of our neighbor who wrote his thesis on the geography of God’s presence. It was his strong belief that here, where so many prayers have been laid before God, so many conversations have been carried on in that supernatural realm, that God’s presence inhabits this land more palpably than in other places that had been inhabited by godless living. I believe he is right, although I have no evidence or thesis to present on the subject. But that is for another day’s consideration…
As I continue my walk I reach the north fence line where the trail bends and turns west. Buck is still keeping his eye on me while he checks out the buffalo wallow. He is looking for a few laps of water that may still be lingering in the hole from Tuesday’s rain. Now my thoughts begin to turn to questions I need to place before God. This particular day, I am feeling troubled. A friend I love dearly has been wounded… and those wounds have come from me. Yet, I cannot betray what I truly believe is a biblical position. And so we sit on the same committee, but our hearts are full of pain and, at times, anger. ”God, how do I handle this? What do I do with these feelings?” I am gently reminded of a quote I wrote in my prayer journal a few days before, “We just have to walk in the kingdom with others, instead of trying to drive them to change their ways and attitudes” (Willard, Divine Conspiracy 231). My prayer becomes, “Please give me wisdom in our encounters to be able to communicate your love.” And, I have the gentle assurance that He is aware of this issue, He is teaching me through this, and good will eventually come from it. Do I feel this? Nope. But I know this.
I smile as I round the southwest corner and turn my feet and my face toward the east. How many times before have I wrestled with my feelings up here on this trail? How many times has God listened to my tears, my anger, my questions? Probably the laments outweigh the praises, if I were honest. How patient He is with me. So I spend these last few minutes focused on the goodness of my Companion.
Turning my face toward the trail that will lead me down to the farmhouse, I look for Buck. I see he has found his buffalo wallow and has obviously enjoyed lying in the cool mud because his belly and legs are a nice chocolate brown contrast to his yellow back.
Thank you, God, I whisper. I now can begin my day with a little more hope, a little more peace. I have been reminded by the “God Who is There” that He is there and here and in me and above me and around me and inside me.