I lay there quietly on the floor, using my coat as a makeshift pillow, eyes closed and lost in thought, peering deep into my heart and listening for my Master’s gentle voice.
I spent the evening at my friends’ house. They had opened their house for anyone to come for a time to be alone with God. The music played softly in the background. Others were quietly meditating around me.
I felt a hand on my shoulder and without opening my eyes I knew that someone had come alongside to pray for me. Sometime later as most of us sat up she spoke. Casey, as I was praying, I saw this picture and it is for you. She explained what she saw but I was still too involved with my own thoughts to let it register. I called a day later and asked if she would write it down for me to which she readily agreed. What will I do with a picture such as this? Is the Master telling me something through this, or perhaps preparing me for what lies ahead? I know what I will do… I will take it to my quiet place and ask Him myself.
Lots of fresh snow had fallen through the night but now the sky was blue. I walked along the river path, immensely enjoying the fresh though somewhat crisp air. I heard the chatter of the blue jays and the song of the cardinals resounding through the cedar trees. trails in the snow told me the rabbits and squirrels were plenty in these woods. I followed a webbed foot trail along the path, and as I wondered where it would lead, I noticed it went the direction I came from. I will see where it ends when I come back this way, I thought.
This was the place where I could be alone with my Father. Often I would tell Him about my children; both the blessings I enjoyed and the challenges I faced. Today however it was about the picture presented to me a few nights before. As I meditated on it I began to understand and realized the assignment upcoming. Coming towards the end of my thoughts I sensed that the Master was about to say something, almost like a summary of the dialogue we just had. I looked through the trees into the blue sky, “What is it Lord, I am listening”. That’s when I realized the webbed trail of the duck which I had been following was no longer there! I backtracked and only ten feet or so behind me I noticed them. Two steps towards the river, the wing prints, a few more scratches and nothing! As I looked at the wing prints with fascination, suddenly I realized that through what I saw, the Master spoke,” Casey, the trail ends here. It is time for you to spread your wings. No more trails to follow. Not by sight but by faith you must go on”
I walked the rest of the way home, touched and amazed how the Father speaks to us in such a beautiful way. He knows the love I have for the great outdoors and the fascination of the creation around me. The birds and animals, the river and the rocks, the snow and the trails are not a distraction but rather assist me in my quiet time with the Master.
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