Whatever else wilderness is, it’s not something you encounter vicariously or watch through the window. It’s for you personally.
For your actual life."
from The Wilderness Within You A Lenten journey with Jesus, deep in conversation by Penelope Wilcock
I read this in my (unusual) Lenten devotional book this morning, when it was much too cold to venture forth in my shivering opinion. I gazed at the clouds floating by, took a few deep breaths, and said, okay, I’ll make it a priority when I get home this afternoon.
It’s late in the day, but I’m keeping my promise. Bundling myself into my heaviest sweatshirt, hood up, I venture forth toward my wooded wilderness. I'll take you along this time, but you know, finding your own wilderness is best.
Stretching along the valley, the mountains look fuzzy, like a baby’s head when the hair is almost visible. Soft. Almost wooly.
Almost leaves.
Almost tree blossoms.
Almost.
I notice that green is creeping oh so slowly into the color palette of the woods. Moss coats logs and leaf mold, waving sporophytes like flags of victory, as if to announce, yes, in fact, spring will conquer!
I want to say thank you and yes and wow all at once. I think God hears my heart, and I imagine He feels the same way:
and behold,
it was very good.
Genesis 1:31