Mountain Canyons

For the past five nights (since we arrived home) I have been dreaming about being in the canyons of mountains. In each of these dreams I am looking for something or looking for a way out of the canyon and/or to the top of the mountain.  There is a phrase, "mountain-top experience," which signifies that one has made it to the mountain top and oh, what a view!  What an experience!  What a high feeling!

Realistically, not very many people make it to the top of mountains.  



For one thing, there is not a lot of space on top.  For another thing, the climb is strenuous and taxing on the body and soul. We travel through the canyons of mountains and sometimes we may reach a summit.  There are usually signs there listing the elevation and even though I am traveling in a car, I get a sense of accomplishment! 😉

Traveling through the canyons below the mountaintops is quite the experience.  Looking up the walls of the canyon and seeing different patterns and colors in the rocky formations is awesome!  I took hundreds of photos of these walls during our travels recently.  Why then, am I dreaming about canyons in a somewhat negative way....trying to get out or find something?  I know enough about dream analysis that I am feeling stuck in the canyons of my life, wanting something different.  But what?  Because when I awaken, I feel just fine about my life and what's happening.  

Or do I?  Yesterday's blog I wrote about Handel's "Messiah."  I woke up this morning realizing that I may have presumed some things about Handel.  He was restless, independent and free-spirited, but does that mean that he didn't have a strong relationship with Christ as I insinuated? No, I find that I like to blame my waxing and waning relationship with Christ to my free-spirit.  Being free-spirited is a badge of honor for me.  Yes, I believe in Christ but giving my everything and all to Him is tough.  I feel like I will lose a part of me.  I have struggled with this in my life....seems like forever.  I go whole-hog (whole-heartedly) into the worship (church) atmosphere and then run away from it for awhile (waxing and waning).  

The other day, I bought a CD of songs, the good old spiritual songs that I heard in my churches and from my grandmother while she worked at home.  I love these old songs and I often find the hymns being my "earworm."  Today, it was "Softly and Tenderly" and I think I hear Him calling me.  Lord, give me the strength and courage to listen and stop my restlessness.  Maybe it's the church that I am searching for in my dreams.  Maybe it's the mountain top that Christ wants to take me to.  Come along as we travel through this phase in my life.  

Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling,
Calling for you and for me.
See, on the portals, He's waiting and watching;
Watching for you and for me.

Come home, come home,
Ye who are weary come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling;
Calling, "O sinner, come home!"

O for the wonderful love He has promised,
Promised for you and for me.
Though we have sinned He has mercy and pardon;
Pardon for you and for me.

Come home, come home,
Ye who are weary come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling;
Calling, "O sinner, come home!"

Come home, come home,
Ye who are weary come home;
Earnestly, tenderly, Jesus is calling;

Calling, "O sinner, come home!"