Walking in the Dark

My home is back a long lane, more than a half mile. The lane wanders through the woods and over a creek, round a bend by the woods and thicket, and up to the house. One of our favorite winter activities in to take a walk after dark down the lane, over the creek and through the woods.

Some nights the moon is out, and stars, and unbelievable lighting.The snow crunches under your feet, and the golden retriever darts through legs and trees, stopping to sniff and dig. Your cheeks are cold, and you can feel your breathe even when you can't see it.

As you enter the woods the trees rise on both sides, but the lighter sky is above and ahead. It's dark on both sides, lighten only by the snow on the ground. It makes the woods look like a valley. We try not to use a flashlight- some nights the moon wash guides us. You can only see shadows and shapes.

It's an interesting feeling. The adrenaline of not being able to know if there are animals nearby watching us, of the unknown. And the peace and calmness of the still night. It always reminds me of a verse-

Even though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I fear no evil- for God is with me, His rod and staff will comfort me-

Peace in the midst of the unknown. A walk with God is like that.