My Head In The Clouds

Days off during the week are tough for me.  I know, kinda weird, right?  But it’s true.  There are so many options and I struggle with being an indecisive person.  I could easily stay at home and relax by playing video games or reading.  However, I would feel guilty for not doing anything around the house.  I don’t really want to do work around the house because let’s face it, it’s my day off.  My only option from here is to get out of the house.  And that’s exactly what I decided to do this past Monday.

Growing up in the mountains I was blessed with some of the finest scenery in the Valley.  One of my favorite places in the world is on top of the mountain at a place known as Reddish Knob.  The drive up there alone will not disappoint.  Over the course of my life, I have spent many countless late nights and early mornings there simply sitting and taking in the sights.  The breeze on a cool evening is about as relaxing as it gets.

This particular trip to the top was a much different experience than I have ever had in the past.  I spent the better part of two hours up there by myself.  I walked around taking in the scenery from both the Virginia and West Virginia side.  As you can see in the picture above, there was quite the storm brewing in the distance.  Low rumbles of thunder could be heard yet from here, it was difficult to know which direction the storm was heading.  So I continued hanging around.  I even took some time to read my Bible out loud as I walked around; nobody but the Lord was there to hear me anyway.

Out of nowhere, it became obvious that the storm was aimed right for my direction.  I made a comment to the Lord that it was time for me to head down before this gets serious.  His comment to me was simple, “You’ll be safer if you stay.”  Against my own judgment, I stayed.  I took a seat near the center of the parking area and waited.  What took place next was nothing short of serene.

The photo doesn’t do it justice by any stretch.  The top of the mountain became completely engulfed by the rolling clouds.  As I sat there, the wind picked up just a little and the fog-like scene continued to unfold.  You almost had to be there because it is difficult to put the experience into words.  I felt peace in the middle of what seemed to be a storm taking place.  Yet it never rained once fell.  God’s presence, however, was so very tangible.  It was definitely something I needed from Him in this season as my wife and I have been in a tough place with some tough decisions we feel are coming in the future.

In a matter of ten minutes or so, the clouds moved on and visibility returned.  I decided it was time to move on and head home.  On my way back to the car I spotted this tagged on the pavement.  I had to do a slight panoramic shot to capture it all.

The moral of this post is simple – get out of the house and go where you can find peace.  I wasn’t expecting this to happen, but He had it planned all along – just for me.  And He wants to do the same for you.  But I had to get out – I had to go someplace that I knew would bring me peace.  This is probably one of the first times I have ever been up there and no one else showed up.  It was an experience designed just for me.  And I am believing that this experience will be a catalyst for the amazing future I know He has planned for myself, my family and all of those He has called me to impact.