"Shhhh... Can you feel it?"

We walk through the lush forest
The kids screaming, full of joy
A tree wines as it nestles upon,
an elder tree's secure branch
Three boys throw rocks
Overwhelming excitement in the air
Baby giddy with joy
Observing the world from up high
She rides the wind on daddy's back

We walk... we run... we laugh... we jump
We're loud, we're fun... energy abounds

Suddenly I feel God nudging my soul
Quietly I whisper to the boy's "Come With Me"
Taking their tiny hands
We walk to the edge
Two feet down... peaceful water
"Lord, help me teach them how to listen for you!"
"Shhhh... Listen"
The setting sun glistens upon the wide neck of the creek

"Look...  Can you see it?"
The boy's respond with a loud... rambunctious "See what?"
I whisper in response "God!
He's shining his love upon the water.
"Boys...  Listen... Can you hear it?"
Their restlessness ceases as they perk up their ears
The only sounds are birds sweetly singing
Wind gently breathing through the vast... green leaves

"Shhh...  What do you hear?"
The oldest fully intrigued... stares in the distance.
The youngest whispers "I hear the leaves!"
"Yes... sweet child... God is telling us of His love"
Can you hear it?"
My middle boy...stops fidgeting... and listens intently.
"I hear it!" is his retort
My heart beating within... "Agh, they hear you Father!"

We stop... we gaze... we look... we listen
We're quiet, we're attentive... peace transcends

Our hike proceeds
In A different manner.
We walk, mouths closed, and we receive
The Lord has spoken
The baby senses a special moment
Her babbling desists
Holding hands... we stroll
Suddenly aware of God's presence all around

Several minutes glide by
Quiet... Contemplative boys
An isolated occasion... for sure
My husband and I arm to arm
I whisper in his ear, "I love you!"
A spontaneous gaze of love is his response
Our pace slowly quickens
Joyful talking abides

My oldest child lingers behind
He's standing still
Looking fixedly into the tree's
I call to him "Robby, are you coming?"
Catching up, his eyes... surreal.
I say to him, "Hey buddy, what were you doing?"
His response... unexpectedly warms my heart.
"I was doing something, I don't do very often.  I was praying!"

We feel, we touch, we love, we believe
We heard, we received...  faith endures.

Ephesian 2:8 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves.  It is the gift of God."

Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."