Going to the Son
Glacier National Park, July 2023
Bill and I just got back from Glacier National Park in Montana and it was fab! I’d been wanting to go there for 10 years and was stoked to finally make the trek with my sweetie. Bill and I love the outdoors and we enjoyed some of our favorite activities - hiking, biking and kayaking. One of the main attractions at Glacier is the famous Going to the Sun Road, which is a 50 mile road that cuts through the middle of the park and boasts spectacular scenery along the way. It was built over 100 years ago and it’s a narrow, winding mountain road with steep drop-offs at times, but it’s well worth the drive and a feast for the eyes.
One of the unexpected upsides of the trip was a lack of cell service in the park - it was so nice to be unplugged for a week. It really refreshed my spirit and provided time for peaceful contemplation. I’d sit for hours staring at the mountain off our balcony (shown above/below), counting my blessings and taking in the beauty of God’s creation. The landscape was so dreamy! We’d have a little “Sauer hour” while staring at the mountain (code for a beer and a few munchies), head downstairs for dinner, then come back up and stare at the mountain for two more hours! As an added bonus, it stays light until 10:30 pm, which allows for lots of mountain gazing (although not much stargazing, lol).
The photos you see are noteworthy because the first couple days the wind was gusting and Swiftcurrent Lake (aptly named) was very turbulent. As such, there was no reflection of the mountain on the water. In fact, you could barely keep your hat from flying off your head. But on the last day, it was amazingly calm and still - not an ounce of wind nor a single ripple on the lake. And then it hit me, I sensed the Lord saying, “You can only reflect me when your soul is tranquil. Be still. Then you’ll be a mirror image of me.” Boy did I need to hear that.
A hallmark of holiness is a peaceful spirit. Find me one saint who ran around like a chicken with his head cut off and I’ll give you $100 bucks. I’m that confident it doesn’t exist. The saints were at peace because they placed all of their trust in the Lord, knowing he was bigger than any problem they faced. God is a tower of strength, mighty like that mountain, but he’s also calm, serene and centered. Our goal is to channel that same peace and reflect it to the world. So let’s ask for it. The Lord said he wouldn’t deny us anything we ask of him, so let’s not hesitate. I don’t know about you, but when there’s a virtue I need to work on, I don’t mind Going to the Son for help!
Bill captured this one at sunrise. He said the orange glow was only like that for 5 minutes.