Travelling North I was unaware of what was to come.

There was laughter and chatter and excitement in our car.  Friendship making sweet the long drive. 

The hills stole into view, majestic and unchanging but they were kept in the background by plans to shop and eat and make ourselves at home for our time away.

The house when we arrived was a place of profound welcome where every window framed a glorious view.  Each panorama felt like a gift, each lamb and calf that played a blessing.

Later we visited Friars Crag.  Here was water and reflections, a foretaste of lakes of shimmering light in the stillness and with stormy waves cresting on one wilder day.

But this was only the beginning!  As I struggled up to places where the vistas spoke of a holy, eternal spaciousness and glory I was gradually invaded and overcome.  

I had no defence against the bombardment of beauty.  I was undone.  My soul was broken open.  Joy and pain coursed through me in abandonment.

There was whipping wind and rain that made waterfalls torrent.  There was dazzling sunshine that softened to gold or purple at days end.  There was the stillness of valleys protected by towering peaks.

Here there was the vibrancy of the new which enthralled me.  My eyes gazed upon that which was timeless yet always changing with the weather and the light.  Something within me spoke of the connectedness which feels like home.  This was for me a place where a gossamer veil allowed me glimpses of heaven.

How to come back to the everyday is a challenge.  Leaving this place meant leaving a part of myself behind.  I was glad that I was not the only pilgrim soul and that the journey South was in friendship still.  But I am not sure how to be a pastor, friend or mother,  or even a lover as I discover myself again.  

I will trust to my tender, gracious God to keep me abiding in love as I travel and hope to return to his lakes and mountains again.

By Alison.    15.05.2018