May 2007

Detroit Lake

The day started with my friend, Jon, picking me up to go out to breakfast as we do every couple of weeks or months. You see, we are breakfast people, that's usually when we see each other. We even have a few rules to guide us. One - no chain restaurants. We like the independent mom and pop shops up and down the Willamette Valley. And we have certainly gone up and down the valley to find them, as far south as Corvallis and as far north as Woodburn in search of that perfect dish of biscuits and gravy (Jon's favorite). I usually get something with eggs and hash browns then mix it all up together as is the tradition in my family. (We like our breakfast food all in one.) Then, we each order a cup of coffee to start out the meal. Jon has his straight black thank you very much. Then there is me. I ruin it every time with cream and sugar. He'll have his green Tabasco sauce over his eggs and I will order something along the lines of cranberry juice. Over the years of our friendship, we have breakfast down to a fine science.

This particular morning we were headed to Stayton, about fifteen minutes east of Salem up the highway toward the mountains. Jon is having a motorcycle specially made for him and he wanted to have his motorcycle permit added to his driver's license at the DMV there. (Shorter lines). Giddy with permit in hand, Jon and I walked back to his truck. Not feeling like heading back to town right away, I asked him what he had going for the rest of the day. Neither of us had to be back until the early afternoon so we decided to drive u

p into the mountains toward Detroit Lake, a tourist hot spot here in Oregon but with very few people before the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. It was a beautiful drive through the forests of trees, the flowing creeks, and the snow capped mountains in the distance. It gave us time to talk about what has been going on in each of our lives. Jon has always been a great friend to talk to in this way, someone I can be very frank with. A talk with him always helps put things in perspective.

Arriving at Detroit, we pulled into the campground that borders the north side of the lake. We drove through the small roads, drooling at the idea of camping there this summer with friends. With blue sky overhead and blue water beside, the idea was incredibly attractive. After exploring the campground, we pulled the truck into a spot by the lake and got out to stretch our legs. There was a dock nearby and at the end of it I just stood there and gazed around me at one of the most beautiful places I've known throughout my life. The water was so quiet, the mountain so majestic, and there were very few boats out that sun filled day. Serene would describe the picture well.

After we used the facilities nearby, I walked over to a picnic table near the shore and sat in prayer. When I am out in the open, near water, trees, nature in general, I feel closer to God. I know he is always there, but I sense it more when I am in the majestic beauty of his creation. I have heard from several others who also have Native American blood that being outside in nature brings forth a special quality in them as well. Sitting there, peace and calm washed over me. Once again, I was reminded of the pace of real life. It's not rushed and hectic as life in the city can be, but more meandering, relaxing. It is the pace where you treasure the time you spend. You cherish the moment.

I have often heard people respond, myself included, to the question of "How are you doing?", with, "Good. I've been busy." They say busy as if it is the goal of being "good". Why is being so busy so important? What value does it really add to our lives? When we are so busy frantically running from one thing to another, we often forget, or perhaps never even realize, the importance of really living in the moment. For example, tonight is a quiet night at home. My roommate is house-sitting, there is beautiful music playing, and I have a steaming cup of hot chocolate nearby. It may be simple, it may even be just for a moment, but tonight, it is all I have and I am taking the time to sit back and enjoy it.

You have moments like this in your life. They may be as simple as a good cup of coffee, a drive in the mountains, or even two minutes of gentle silence. They are moments we pass over so quickly when we are concentrating on being busy and it is unfair to ourselves and it is unfair to God. Sitting out on that dock surrounded by water and trees, I remembered him. I remembered how it can be hard to hear his voice when my mind is so occupied with all those busy thoughts. I remembered how it is usually when I take the time to enjoy the moments, when I settle into breathing room, when I can hear him most clearly. It is rather like eating breakfast regularly with my friend Jon. We take the time for each other, to listen, to speak, to experience the joy of being together. Why don't we try together to do this with God? Slow down, find the open spaces, and invite God into them with you. He'll come. No matter where you are, no matter what is going, bring him into the moment, he has lots of time.

Last Updated: 12/30/2011