Lord of Encounter

Lord of Encounter,

Find me in me in my hiding place.

Restore me to light.

Lord of Encounter,

Comfort my fear and longing.

Restore me in love.

Lord of Encounter,

Rescue me from distraction.

Restore me to peace.

Lord of Encounter,

Challenge me to serve others.

Restore me to hope.

Lord of Encounter,
Join me in celebration,
Magnify my joy.

Taking Pictures - On a Hike to Abram's Falls

Taking Pictures

Why do I stop to take a picture?

I must have a thousand like it -

of birds and wildflowers

mountain streams and waterfalls.

Pausing to take a picture

makes me really look.

I see infinite color

angle of sun

play of light and shadow

setting

perspective of size and distance.

When I'm still

I can hear birdsong

babble or murmur or rush of the stream

wind riffling through the leaves

rustle of a small creature.

I wonder about the other hikers

who pass me by not looking

at the vista I see

or the beauty of creation

intent on their destination
 or conversation

.

I am intent on the journey.

It is my meditation.

If the path is steep

I focus on my breath -

not for meditation

but for survival.

Breath is part of the journey, too.

Stopping to take a picture

Allows me to renew my breath

Slow my heart

Awaken my senses

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And the journey goes on.