Jilly Brandon

“The serenity of a clear blue mountain lake..” Thank you John Denver for that evocative line.. When I was young, I always liked John Denver.  His voice was so melodious and soothing, and the pictures He drew in my mind were filled with images like this one.  I recall putting on my earphones, popping in my cassette tape while laying in a sleeping bag looking up at the stars, on an overnight excursion with some campers from Miniyowe.   We were sleeping on an island surrounded by the lovely lapping waters on Mary Lake, which is located in Northern Ontario.  I have such distinct memories of the smell of fresh pine filling my nostrils, damp earth underneath my head, and cool, crisp night air.  I only wish that “Yankee candles” had a scent that could mesh these exotic scents together.  I would buy a case of those candles.  I do admit that I have flavored candles and lots of pillows everywhere addiction.  I would seek intervention if I thought that it could be found…or would I?

It was so calming to look at this lake this morning.  This is Evergreen Lake, up in Evergreen, Colorado.  It’s a wonderful town, and I find it to be so scenic, and breathtaking.  The other morning, my friend Susan even captured the elks all over the golf course adjacent to this lake.  Their unique sounds can be heard on her cell phone…so very cool.  As I looked out upon this lake, it fills me time and again at the absolute splendor of creation.  The stillness, and the peace of this place… I drank it all in, and found a bench nearby to just reflect, and to be still.   I thought that I could sit in this spot forever, and be perfectly content.  Water for me has always been something that I’m drawn to.  I can’t really explain it.  Whether it is a lake,  a mountain stream, or the sea…it always beckons me to sit and take it all in.A babbling brook, while making the wonderful sound of rushing water, can be every bit as comforting as the roar of the ocean waves crashing onto the beach, or the  still, of a clear,  as glass lake.  This fascinates me completely, and I contemplate what this all means. With  all of its differences, and yet marveling at the sameness and constancy which draws me onto itself.

Last afternoon I stood overlooking the lake, the warm sun on my face, and as I looked in the distance , there over by the dam, I spotted a lone bird soaring on the wind.  I removed  my sunglasses, and squinted into the distance…wait..did I see white glinting off this birds’ head?  Could this be an eagle…?  I got so excited with this hope.   In my mind I urged him to fly closer, let me get a better look.  Slowly, and then with great grace and precision, he dove at great speed towards the lake, then swooped up again with a fish in his golden yellow beak.   So awesome to see.  He came closer and closer until he was directly overhead of me, and I knew without a doubt test he was a glorious bald eagle.  I was enraptured at this image.  I think these predators are absolutely fantastic, and have always looked for them.  As he looked down upon me, his sharp eye pierced my soul, and the verse from Isaiah came to mind from the bible.  ” But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, and they shall walk and not faint.”(40:31).   Such a great verse that promises such hope, and renewal of ones’ heart and mind…and I can rest in this… I was thankful for this experience, and this  connection.  I thought later that this sighting of an eagle is probably a usual thing, but my friend Susan said that  in the nine years that she has lived there, she has  only spotted Eagles about five times.  I realized that this guy was a special gift for me, and I took it as that.  I was encouraged, and I felt hopeful…I was renewed.The path ahead of me seems unclear right now.  I think that this is ok.  I don’t need to know.  I just need to keep trusting, and I believe that the way will be made clear.  It won’t be easy..it will have its pitfalls, and lots of fall on your face cry sessions, however I feel confidant that I can rest in the promise that “He will never leave me or forsake me,” and that is enough.  It has to be…I can rely on Him, and I can find rest.  This is so comforting to me.

“He climbed cathedral mountains, he saw silver clouds below, he saw everything as far as you can see….”…” And the Colorado Rocky Mountain high, I’ve seen it raining fire from the sky.  You can talk to God and listen to the casual reply.  Rocky Mountain high, Colorado.  Rocky Mountain high.”

“Now his life is full of wonder, but his heart still knows some fear, of a simple thing he can not comprehend.  Why they try to tear the mountains down to bring a couple more, more people, more scars upon the land.”

” I know he’d be a poor man if he never saw an eagle fly….Rocky Mountain high…”…thank you  to John Denver for so much gorgeous visual imagery of the place that I call home.  Truly..such a poet.  I am beyond, and over the moon that I saw an eagle fly..the purity….of a clear blue mountain lake.  Truly..the purest, and most exquisite things… Really..so blessed, and Im finding that these things of creation are so healing, so cathartic.  It truly us in the simplest of visions, of appreciating of ones’ surroundings, that true and lasting happiness can be found.  Also in the phone calks of dear and kind friends who keep checking in.  I’m so touched and graced by all of you…such a gift from our mighty God….thank you