Using the Senses to Pray with Nature

I've been on retreat since Thursday ... I found myself 


Praying in the Four Directions, Praying with the Four Elements and I engaged with nature


We had a lovely Morning Prayer at an Outdoor Pavilion at the Wesley Center in Woodworth, Lousiana.  We were led by a soul friend of mine which makes this all the more delightful.  


We engaged in Visio Divina in 4 directions ... We were invited to turn from our inward circle to an outward facing circle and I began facing North.  I almost gasped as turned and felt the overwhelming presence of God.  I know I smiled as I breathed all the way to my toes.  After my lovely time day of prayer the week before, a time in which I experienced God as the Gentle Rain on my Soul ... well, the wind often changes quite abruptly and several days later things had shifted ... I wrote in my journal about God the raging thunderstorm in my soul.  I wrote about feeling as though I was a little dinghy floating about no longer moored at my soul dock.   

As I looked upon the lake to the North, there was a little boat one one side and 

feeling like a little dinghy ... restless and

there was the dock on the other side.    feeling no longer moored at my soul dock ...

Turn to the East and I was staring at a brick wall ... 

feeling the heat of the day, or perhaps the passion of a 

wild heart as I gaze upon the bricks fired in the kiln

Turn to the South and felt the breeze blowing gently across my cheek and through my hair ... ahhhh

feeling light and joyful

Turn to the West and Pine Trees growing in the Earth along the edge of the Lake.  

feeling grounded and 

reaching for God 

with the Trees

in Praise and Thanksgiving

As I pondered this experience, I realized I had just experienced the four elements in prayer ... the water of the lake, the fire that created the bricks in all their different colors, the air as the gentle breeze, and the quiet earth that held the long, tall pine trees ... It is enough.  Amen.