Indian Moon

She sat so peacefully in the dim moonlight.  Her back was to me as I approached her-- the intricate pattern of her nightgown barely visible, and her slick black hair arranged neatly in a braid and place over her shoulder.  She was sitting on the little ledge of the walkway outside my room at the Elephant House, gazing into the night sky.  I didn't want to startle her but I knew I wanted to connect with her.

"Miss Annie?"

"Oh, hi Rachel." She turned to look at me-- a tired and peaceful look on her face.

"How are you?"

"I am fine, thank you."

"You seem so peaceful out here-- are you just taking time to breathe?"

"No, I am praying."

She was so kind to me with her response, yet I knew I should leave her to finish her praying.  I bid her a good evening and continued on my way to the washroom.  When I left the washroom a few minutes later, she was gone from her place on the ledge.  A deep curiosity filled me, and I wanted to see what Miss Annie had seen as she was praying.  I carefully set my things down on the walkway near my door, and then I walked to the ledge and sat.  Tuning into my breathing, I gazed into the night sky.

I saw it.  I saw the way that the walls of the elephant house and the trees of the inner courtyard framed the sky.  I could see the dark, mystical clouds as they slowly drifted over head.  At first I could only seeing glowing spots seeping through the clouds, but finally the moon appeared.  It didn't present itself as being extraordinarily large, yet I noticed how much light the moon was producing for the sleeping world of India.  Aside from the slight breeze rustling the leaves, everything was calm.  Feeling inspired by Miss Annie's example, I decided to do my evening prayer in that exact spot.  Since I was alone, I seized the opportunity to vocally pray, and I chose to speak in Hungarian

I like to think that all of my prayers come from the heart, but I can sense a real difference when my prayers of quality depth and sincerity instead of quick and somewhat causal.  In this setting, my prayer had depth.  Perhaps it was because I got to pray out loud... Or perhaps it was because I didn't feel rushed with time... I like to think that it had something to do with the fact that I felt a real closeness to God as I took time to appreciate His creations before speaking with Him.  As I took in my surrounding before the prayer, especially the majestic Indian moon, my heart swelled with gratitude.  I believe that this heart of gratitude allowed me to go deep as I offered my thoughts and feelings in communion with my Heavenly Father.

This experience took place Monday night.  Every time I have seen the Indian moon since then, I have been reminded of the way I felt when I sat there on the ledge, soaking in my surroundings and speaking with God.  I have prayed there every night since.

So I have an invitation for you.  Make a plan to visit nature-- to visit Gods creations.  For some of you this might be as easy as stepping outside.  Others may need to travel away from big cities.  Make a special time for it in your schedule if you need to.  When you get to where you want to be, soak it in.  Breath it in.  Appreciate the setting your in.  Then, when you're ready, pray.  Just let it flow.  It can be however long you need it to be, but let yourself go deep if you can.  And as the cherry on top, take time to listen.  Allow the communication to go full circle as you listen for God's response to your prayer.  It may come quickly, and it may take time.  I promise you that if you take time to have this experience, you won't regret it!

God bless.