Quest Conclusion

As I stood up, packed up my notes, and slung my pack over my shoulders, God spoke to my spirit again, "That's it for now, we're done. That's all I'm giving you to reflect on."

The previous year God had given me the sense we were done, and I was relieved. I had been exhausted, hungry, and extremely uncomfortable due to the Oak Mites. This year I felt great. I was well rested due to having slept in my bed. The hunger really wasn't an issue at this point, and since there were no Oak Mites, I was set to spend more time in the woods. I had allotted until noon, and it was just after 10:00 AM. God had shown me something really incredible, speaking to my heart in a way that had significant meaning to me, and I was eager for more.

From the bench I was sitting at the trail loop goes in two directions. I could turn left, heading back the way I had come, and be to my car in about twenty minutes. Or I could turn right, going an extra mile or so to connect with where this trail joined up with the path that would take me back to where I had parked. Not being satisfied with what I had heard, I went right, thinking if I could spend extra time in the woods God might say something else.

I hiked that trail, connected with the other one, and then decided to take the long way back to the parking lot. There is some amazing scenery in the area I was in, and the way the light was coming through the trees and hitting the landscape was gorgeous. I'm an amateur photographer, I've been told I have a great eye, and I love being out in nature, but it's one of those hobbies I just haven't invested the time or money into to get really good at it. I pulled out my phone and began trying to capture the moment. I had the perfect shot lined up. The angle was phenomenal, and the lighting was absolutely amazing. I was about to take the picture when my phone started ringing.

Ironically, it was a friend who's a photographer, and he very rarely calls, so of course he would be the one to call and mess up my shot. But I took that as a sign of God saying, "I told you, we're done for now." I answered the phone and enjoyed a good conversation, then I headed back to the parking lot, got in my car, and drove home; no donut stop this year.

My time in the woods was over this time, and it ended up being significantly less time than I had planned for. However, God used every minute of this quest, and when He had told me everything I needed to know to move forward, He sent me home.


Fight the lion, 1 Peter 5.1-11

TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!