My Favorite Place – “The Cabin”
Last week, my family and I left the beaches of South Carolina and journeyed to West Virginia. My family would stay at my dad’s, while he and I would venture off during the day to one of, if not my favorite place, on all the Earth. Nestled back in the West Virginia mountains is a small cabin surrounding by trees and rocks. The sound of the stream downhill creates a serenity that many will never experience. The sound of the clear water falling over the small dam, along with the songs of the birds in the trees create a symphony where the troubles of the world fade off into the wind. For me, this place brings a sense of delight only to be met with magnificent joy as my family gathers around.
The lights and sounds of the city fade into the distance as the tires of our car travel those paved, uneven and windy West Virginia roads. The mountains push out the troubles with each turn as the air turns cooler. The rush of the day is felt each mile as my heart grows fonder of the state I will always call my home. Though my hat hangs near the beaches of South Carolina, my heart delights in the mountains of a distant land where times moves a little slower and where mountaineers are always free.
This cabin has become a symbol of thankfulness and calmness in our family line, granted it has only been in that line about 12 years. The newness of the cabin does not take away from our family heritage. It was in this area our great-grandparents raised our grandmother and while working in their small country store. A life of simple times resides in this valley, but simple does not mean better. Financial times were tougher then; current finances are much better. Our family lives a more secure life than years past, but our heritage always takes us back to these quiet, beautiful mountains. A few miles from the cabin, on top of a hill, is the grave of our great-grandmother. With her body there, memories of the area remind us of our past, this place will always hold a special place in our hearts.
For me, this remote spot will be my writing place. In a few years, I plan on disappearing to this place with my laptop and my thoughts. My family will travel with me for a time of rest and relaxation, but my task will be writing. The cabin has the ability to clear your mind of any negative thoughts and create a residence a peace within you. It could be the slower life, the gentle breeze, the sun rays piercing through the trees, but time is peaceful down that dirt road.
This Thanksgiving I spent a few days around the cabin; my earthly “promise land.”. I spent time milling around through the woods and considering the life I live. The tranquility of peace seems much broader once I enter this little spot on Earth. Life takes on a different view once the factors which cause frustration are left miles behind and replaced with God’s nature. The life I live is a sweet, wonderful life. My life is a flicker in the candlelight of time, but that flicker is my flicker. The brief time God has allowed me to walk this land has been blessed me with family and friends which I do not deserve. My family is the backbone of who I am want what I do. Being the backbone of my life, they strengthen the foundation instilled in me since my youth – the foundation of Jesus. It might sound cliché for a minister to bring Jesus into this discussion, but it is true. It is the life I have chosen by the gift He has provided.
My friends, as I write this evening, I am no longer at my Earthly “promise land of peace,” but I am back to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. From the joys to the sorrows, the bliss to the stress, we have made our way back to the pace of life we are so used too. Even though the cabin is behind us, peace is still before us. The peace which the world cannot understand is a peace not offered at my cabin, instead is a peace offered in the life of the best – and His name is Jesus.
A few weeks from now the world will sit and adore the man which gave us all He ever had. The focus will be His simple birth, but the life will be the richest the world has ever had to offer. The gifts His family was given, were bountiful; but the gift He will provide you will be one which words can never describe.
Even though you might have your “cabin” while on Earth, there has to be someone greater controlling the peace of your life. Will you choose the One who gave Himself to create peace?
He already chose you, will you choose Him?
Just some thoughts,
Chris
Oh yeah!
Lord willing, in a few short months I will make my way back to that cabin. Our family will be surrounded by relatives that are normally scattered across this great country, but just for a few days, we will sit and reflect on the lives we have, the blessings of family and the serenity only found in a little place I like to call, “The Cabin.”
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