Simply Messing

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erocThis is Enchanted Rock…

The Rock is a huge, pink granite exfoliation dome, that rises 425 feet above ground, 1825 feet above sea level, and covers 640 acres. It is one of the largest batholiths (underground rock formation uncovered by erosion) in the United States.
 
When Chris and I were in college at Texas A&M, we liked to travel and camp. This was one of our favorite spots. We’d grab our tent and gear and go. I have a wonderful memory here of “simply messing.” I’ll describe what simply messing is below. But here’s the memory: Chris has gone off for a walk in the middle of the day. I laid down on my back on a stone bench and looked up into the trees.
 
There I saw many squirrels jumping and playing with one another from limb to limb. I watched for such a long time–wanted to be like those squirrels and jump and play, too. As I lazily got up, I walked down to a creek (“crik” in Texas talk) and saw a beautiful white-tailed deer that just stopped and looked at me for a moment before running off. I was so thrilled to be in on all this fauna. I think that is the way God intended us to be, out in His creation, seeing and appreciating what He made.
 
Such a peace steals into my heart when I can be outside in the woods, enjoying Sabbath moments. Nothing to show for it at all…just simply being, watching and thrilling over what God makes. One quick lesson Chris had while we were there was on the Rock, he was almost to the top, but not quite. He saw an ant working very hard carrying food up a tiny bump on the rock. That was when Chris heard the Lord speak to his spirit saying, “That’s how men are, always thinking they’ve reached the summit when there’s so much left to go. And that is me, watching you, seeing the bigger picture.” I’m so glad that I serve a God who indeed sees the bigger picture as I struggle with my small stuff up a tiny incline.
  
Here is my favorite passage from Wind in the Willows and it will tell you what simply messing is…:
 
`This has been a wonderful day!’ said he (Mole), as the Rat shoved off and took to the sculls again.
`Do you know, I’ve never been in a boat before in all my life.’
`What?’ cried the Rat, open-mouthed: `Never been in a–you never–well I–what have you been doing, then?’
`Is it so nice as all that?’ asked the Mole shyly, though he was quite prepared to believe it as he leant back in his seat and surveyed the cushions, the oars, the rowlocks, and all the fascinating fittings, and felt the boat sway lightly under him.
`Nice? It’s the ONLY thing,’ said the Water Rat solemnly, as he leant forward for his stroke. `Believe me, my young friend, there is NOTHING–absolute nothing–half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats. Simply messing,’ he went on dreamily: `messing–about–in–boats; messing—-‘
`Look ahead, Rat!’ cried the Mole suddenly.It was too late. The boat struck the bank full tilt. The dreamer, the joyous oarsman, lay on his back at the bottom of the boat, his heels in the air.
 
And here are a few Sabbath words from one of my favorite writers/singers, Chris Rice:
 
My Cathedral
Sweetest days of childhood,Playing in the deep woods,
Stomping through the creek and feeling oh-so-much alive.
We’re camping in the forest,We join the cricket chorus,
Hum our songs of gratitude around a crackling fire.
Out here in the stillness,I found my house of worship with column trees and canopy of stars,
Here in my cathedral.
 
Have a great weekend. Find a Sabbath Moment and stay awhile!
 
What ways does God speak to you through nature?
Stephanie Shott
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