Church of the Pines

i woke up yesterday with the dread of today consuming every corner of my brain. "It's Sunday. i'll find a little way to do church on my own," i thought.
So, i slapped on my running shoes and sought the Lord about how to observe the Sabbath in this unfamiliar town. On my ipod, i cued up the ten minute version of "Where you go I go" by Brian Johnson as a spiritual and physical warm up. Great for focusing on obedience in prayer, so i listened again and contemplated,"Not my will,but Yours." My attention was drawn to the pine trees as i plodded. i selected a tree on my running path as Cathedral i'd return to at the end of the running church excursion. i then asked, "God, what is that my mom and i need?" EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING flashed across my mind, so i cued up my ipod to "Everything". David Crowder sang to me, feet pounding to the pace, something i desperately needed to hear, "You make everything glorious, and I am yours." Next Tim Hughes cut to my soul with "Christ in me. Christ in me. The hope of glory. You are everything!" as it became harder to keep my breathing steady.
The grand finale blasted Lifehouse "Everything" which took my sweaty body all the way back to the chosen tree. i wrapped my arms around the massive trunk of the pine and connected with my Father. "Find me here. and speak to me. i need to feel you." i took in the sweet smell of sap and fingered the soft texture of the needles tenderly.
"i need to hear you." Oh, yes i do! "You are the light that's leading me to the place where i find peace again." Peace!
i looked through the arch of my pine tree cathedral to the perfect blue sky dotted with exquisite white clouds. "How could i stand here with you, and not be moved by you? Would you tell me how could it be any better than this?"

"You're all i want. You're all i need. Everthing! Everything!" This experience of intimacy comforted me like nothing or noone else.

i was moved and grateful to share this holy moment with Him in the midst of my emotional storm.