I’m flying out to Albuquerque,NM this morning to attend the Sabbath Retreat at Ghost Ranch. Just the thought of waking in the desert tomorrow puts a smile on my face and fills my soul with joy.

I’ve always enjoyed being outside, especially ‘in the woods’ or way in, by myself, just exploring or even sitting. As a child I would wander into the woods near my grandparents house and just keep going. Occasionally a wild blackberry (the small ones) would stop me, but most of the time, I just kept walking away from the house. I’ve always had a great sense of direction and I don’t recall once feeling like I was lost. Instead, wandering in nature feeds my soul, quiets my mind, and restores my spirit.

As I prepare to go into the desert, the place of so much fecund spiritual reflection, this passage from Jeremiah (a favorite) wants to do along:

Thus says the Lord:
Stand at the crossroads,
and look,
and ask for the ancient paths,
where the good way lies;
and walk in it,
and find rest for your souls.

I plan on a lot of standing and looking and asking and walking AND RESTING!