20 August 2006

grace in recreation




So today I returned from my very first camping weekend. How does one get into their 30's without experiencing camping??? Well, okay, for the record, i have camped with family hosted by my uncle and aunt and cousins. but that consisted of camping in a big ol, comfy as all get out camper. this weekend we were in tents. with "pit pots" as my friend Julia says. And no showers. So, yes, camping.

Do you know how much God's glorioius creation invites us to interact? Friday night we soaked up both the fantastic sunset, but also simply reveled in the awe of a massive, starlight sky. It was sooooo amazing. Really. And then Saturday morning the birds' calls and songs welcomed us to step into the day, the dunes called us to sink into and explore their warmth, and the water beckoned our play in the waves and the "surf." The invitations were too loud and too lovely to ignore.

Here's what a wise scholar once said: "Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand maked off the heavens? ...Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host and calls them each by name..."

Something in the simplicity of play, breathing forest air, bathing in fresh water, laughing and eating with great community, worshipping the Lord with guitars and jimbaye in the firelight, and the utter beauty of creation showered me with grace this weekend. I'm delighting in it still.

Bless the Lord oh my soul. And all that is with in me, bless His holy name.

2 comments:

Jewels said...

Awesome times, Gracie. I thought you were an old camping pro the way you interacted with nature out there in the wilderness!

Gracie said...

Tee hee. I told you I was a deceiver. :-) We all handled it pretty well, didn't we? It's the beauty of community I reckon!