I don’t know if you are like me in seeking solitude. At least once a week, I need to get away from people – their problems and life’s interruptions and find a quiet place simply to be. Introverts like me seek renewal away from other persons by entering into nature for a time of quiet reflection or simply watching movies all day on the TV. Having by this time in my life watched almost every old movie ever made at least once and not being enamored with most newer ones, I am looking for another place to find solitude.

It is, of course, maddening to a spouse or loved one for a person to have this need for “alone time”, but after so many years of begrudging tolerance, they know now what I am doing and why.  And so I allow my wife and daughter their “alone time” too.

A few months ago, Dorothy and I purchased fifteen acres of solitude. I fell in love with the place while walking down by the little stream as I stopped to listen to its gurgling happiness. As we followed the stream further and further into the forest canopy, we found animal tracks of all kinds; deer, possum and raccoon tracks near the life-giving water.  Further on, we found a bleached skull of what may have been a coyote or perhaps a dog.

The ground was carpeted with a small green canopy of plants about six inches tall that looked like a relative of a fern, but which I have yet to identify. Along the stream banks were multiple taller ferns, growing close to the moist, humid air.

Since that first day, Dorothy and I have both returned on multiple occasions to drink in the peaceful aroma of this place. We are planning to place a home on the property soon and in a year or so, move out to join the other creatures in the forest.

A custom home builder met us yesterday and was so overcome by the beauty of the place he was rendered speechless.  In describing the place, he used the word treasure, saying  “My, you have certainly found a treasure here!” He and his architect friend will be coming this week and next to survey, to dream, and to plan.

We have a friend and his crew who are clearing a small section on which to place a home.  This afternoon, I sat down on the cleared site and soaked in some more pleasure of this place. Praying and meditating for a time, I fell asleep sitting on the ground as I leaned against an oak tree.  I was listening for bird songs and heard a few, including a wild turkey in the distance across the way.  In my sleep, I dreamt of a large buck observing me as I slept in the forest.

While asleep, the busyness of this past week, this past month, this past year simply left me. I woke up feeling as though my life was beginning all over again.

Imagine, if you will, if everyone could have such an experience of renewal and refreshment once a week, or just a little sip first thing in the morning!  We are all so jangled. The demands of internet, cell phones, work and twenty four hour news is affecting us all adversely. Or at least, it’s affecting me.

I found something today I have not known since childhood; I rediscovered what it means to feel joy!

The minister today said in his sermon there are only two commandments which summarize everything:  “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul and with all your strength. And the second is like to it, ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself!’” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5, Matthew 19:19).

“On such,” Jesus says, “hangs all the law and the prophets” (i.e. ‘all the commandments of God’).

It may really be this simple.  Perhaps that is all and that is enough!  I once read that our God does not grow older, but instead becomes younger renewing all things to be like Him.  Jesus said, “Except you become as one of these little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 18:3).

Perhaps, in the simple things, we can find God.  I am starting again on this journey where I left off a long time ago. I do not know exactly where I am going, but I promise to tell you when I arrive at my destination.