Early Sundays

These past several weeks I have taken to walking to church in St. Pierre. People ask me why and as always I have to tell them the simple fact that I love walking. Anyway, there is something so thrilling about getting up early before the dorms are even awake, putting on extra warm clothes to guard against the early morning chills and walking down that dirt road. This road is grazed by only a few stray houses and the occasional barking dogs that like to own the road whenever I pass them, but for the most part, the land to either side of me spreads itself wide and full across my vision, silencing me at a glance.

I almost can't describe it but the feelings of beautiful solice just fill me up with a silent joy when I walk. The only thing that I hear is the crushing gravel beneath my feet and then all else just seems to be lying in quiet wait for the progression of the day. The corn fields to either side of me seem to be so barren and to some could be called cold..but as the sun comes up, rising higher and higher, the wonderful spread of golden light just unleashes itself on the stalks and over the frosted areas, warming the ground and bringing it all to life in a heartbeat.

I've walked this road before even when I'm not going to church, but each time I am amazed at the beauty of it all. In my first year I was mezmerized by the gentle quiet of this place and now it still amazes me that you can stop moving while you are outside and not hear a single thing except your own breathing. You're almost afraid to breath for fear you'll spoil the silence.

There are so many things in God's creation that we miss...and that I don't want to miss. It is a gift...a precious gift...