Another year, another Snow Retreat. Every year as the we progress into the middle of winter, our little group packs up our vans and begins the voyage into the frozen "wilderness" of Mt.Hood. The procedure each time we go is more or less the same. We race down the innertube slopes at Ski Bowl, we play a rowdy game of ping-pong or two in the rec. room, and we attempt to sneak across enemy lines in an annual game of capture the flag. All of these events are enjoyable, but not particularly surprising or unexpected, as they have become like traditions to us. The things that I truly find inspiring, those rare, beautiful moments that I will truly remember, are the ones that I don't expect...the ones that come directly from God.
This year I experienced that moment as I was walking outside, gazing up at the stars through the patchwork of trees. There were millions of them...hundereds of thousands of pinpricks of light, brightening an otherwise pitch-black sky. The presence of the Lord that I felt around me reminds me a lot of those stars...you can't always see him right in front of you, and sometimes you feel like he's not really watvhing over us, but, come what may, he's always there, waiting for the right moment to reveal his unfathomable beauty to us.
The glory and splendor of God isn't something you can predict or plan out. It isn't something you can put on a schedule either, "5 o clock...Experience the Wonder of the Lord!" But if you go looking for him, you will always find him...and I guarantee he'll be happy to see you.
Lauren
Well said Lauren!
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