He Restoreth My Soul

This past Monday I went to Damascus , Va and rode the Virgina Creeper Trail with my friend Lonnie. (Sorry Keith and Melissa I will visit you guys next time). The trail follows an old railroad track down from White Top Mountain station to the town of Abington. It is 34 miles total. Lonnie and I only did about half.

The trip had been on my mind for several weeks before my vacation. I was not sure I wanted to drive the 3 1/2 hours to get there. As it turned out Lonnie actually visited Danville the week before my vacation. When I told him what I was considering he was very excited. It was then I began to see this as a God thing. Maybe God was telling me I needed to go.

So on Oct 18th leaving before sunrise I set out for Damascus. I drove in silence, no radio just prayers and thoughts. As I reached the mountains the morning sun begin to crest over the tops of the trees. There was a heavy frost that morning. As the light of sun hit the frost and the golds, yellows, reds and greens of the mountains...oh my. Joy stirred deep in me.

Finally turning off the interstate I took highway 91 into Damascus. It is about 12 miles through winding farm country. I rolled down my window and let the cool mountain air fill the car. I broke the silence and listened to a podcast I had on the mercy of God. For fans of Lord of the Rings I felt I was in the Shire.

The rich colors and smells. The farms and babbling brooks on every side. So much beauty.

Though it only took the Bike Station shuttle 20 minutes to take our group to the top it took 3 hours to come back. Lonnie and I stopped a lot! The views were spectacular. The conversation even better.

Lonnie said " I prayed all the way here today". "Me too". He smiled that knowing smile that God was up to something. We spoke of old friends and hopes and struggles. We spoke of Gods faithfulness even though we often did not feel worth His effort.

All around creation proclaimed His glory. Slowly our conversation turned to Gods goodness. We spoke of hope and wonder. We soaked up the beauty around us.

Finally it was time to return home. I traveled back down hwy 91 with the afternoon sun bathing the farms in bright warm hues. I drove slowly, silently. As I reflected on the day tears formed. For the first time in a long time I shed tears of joy. I whispered my thank you Jesus. A school bus stopped to let out some elementary school kids. They were laughing as kids do. Dressed for the fall coolness in bright jackets and parkas. "Thank you Jesus". How like a child I felt at that moment.

I drove home in silence. Something happened on this trip. There was no revelations, no profound insights. But in the quiet and the beauty He restored my soul.