From my earliest memories, I found myself in the wilderness. Our family was a traveling one, a family that explored the wilds around us and stayed in places close to the wind.
My father and older brother taught me how be in the wilderness.
They taught me to…
…read the ground so I don’t lay down in a place where the rain runs.
… walk lightly and listen closely.
…how to find tinder for a fire, how to add kindling to the tinder and how to split wood to go on the kindling. Starting anything worth tending is much like that. It only takes a spark if there’s good tinder. Build patiently and you’ll have a warmth that lasts.
I’ve camped on beaches, in marshes, on rocky outcroppings and high mountain balds. I’ve slept between trees and even the back of my truck to just get “Out”. Out of doors, away from the trappings of civilization altogether. I get away to the wilds where I can hear myself and hear from God.
My experiences in the wild have led me to understand that people need to connect to the Earth itself; a grounding of sorts.
The deepest conversations I’ve ever had are always in the wilds. Our spirits are refreshed by Creation and open us to hear from The Creator.
There’s a purity to be found in a forest.
Clarity can be had while riding a river.
When we are pushed past our fears and our ideas of comfort, Joy can be found.
When we are feeling world-weary from job and school and finance and even service at church, the wildness and quietus that one can experience in the marvel of creation settles the mind and soothes the soul.
I have led my family to the wilds and called my friends to join me.
I’ve taught people to be comfortable in the wild.
…to listen for the summertime symphony in the cicadas
…to watch for the litany in the lightnin’ bugs
…to find the crawdads in the creek.
…to find the path in the pitch dark.
…to feel the mirth of the midwinter moon.
…to see their Creator in Creation.
…because you can only find the foxfire when the lights are out.
-Scott
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