Be Still...

I went for a ride on my bike today. I've had trouble running lately, so I've tried to spend more time on my bike. I rode thru the little suburb I live in, to the really nice running/bike trails we have here in Memphis. I rode on the paved trail thru the forest to get to the Running/biking trails, and although it is literally "over the river, and through the woods". Sadly, it does not lead to Grandmother's house as the song promises. Anyway, as I entered the woods on the dirt trail, dodging the puddles the rain had left in my path, about 5 minutes in, I was suddenly struck with the amazing stillness that I felt inside the woods, only minutes from thousands of cars impatiently making their way home from work to begin the weekend. The dull roar of the traffic was barely discernible in the distance, and the sun, bright and unrestrained by clouds, created a silent symphony of colors and shadows and contrast. And I stopped, turned off my MP3 player, and stood there in the middle of this quietness, overwhelmed by the hugeness of my God, and how in the midst of His GreatBig-ness, He cares enough about me to stir my heart, and remind me that His love for me, truly is better than life, bigger than life, so much better than the sweet life He has brought to me. So I took several amazing moments with my eyes closed, and my head thrown back, and my arms outstretched, to not ask, or plead, or need, or want anything from my creator, but just to BE His child. It was the best part of my week. Dave Nicar