Known

From the old Grenoble fortress perched on top of a large foothill, I saw the hazy visage of Mont Blanc for the first time today.  A french man actually pointed it out to me.....well, not to me.  It was the benefit of a new past-time I've acquired: eaves-dropping on the french.  ; )  Mont Blanc, at 4,807 meters, is the highest summit in Europe.  I don't know why, but as I stared at the white mass hundreds of miles to the east, I felt really privileged.

Today was a jour férié, or a national holiday, to celebrate Veteran's Day. Whereas many American schools would slap a one-liner memoir in the student newspaper and continue on with the week, France closed down.  This is another reason I like France.

God clearly wanted us all to enjoy the mid-week break, because this afternoon the long-lost sun decided to return, kissing the sparkling white mountain tops and warming up a recently cold and dreary Grenoble.  I couldn't help but put on my hiking shoes and set off for a walk!

I decided to venture a bit down the road toward a place where the trail heading up to the Bastille bleeds into the Geology school's parking lot.  The air was crisp and the sun at just the perfect angle to pierce through the wood and set ablaze the golden trees lining either side of the trail; I was drawn into the serenity in an instant.  I passed many other couples and families who were profiting from the weather and day off and couldn't help but keep going, all the way to the top (I am one who has to 'peak' once I start).  The last time I was at the top of the Bastille, it was an overcast late-summer day; how different it is when the mountains are white, the trees sloping below are dotted burgundy and gold, and the sunset is a watercolor painting in the sky!  The sun disappeared behind a mountain at about 4:30, but it's rays still stretched out wings from behind it, and from both sides, they warmed the complexion of  the surrounding landscape within reach.  It was amazing.

The chorus to this song played on repeat in my thoughts on the way up and down.  Maybe writing out the lyrics will get it out of my head....but then again, it's a melody I never want to stop singing.

Savior, you have known me as I am
Healer, you have known me as I was
As I will be
In the morning, in the evening
You have known me, God, You have known me
Completely
You have known me
(Known by Audrey Assad)

I guess it was just one of those afternoons when I took time to just...be.  It's something that I'm doing more often here.  I'm growing, and ever needing to grow further, in the art of doing nothing (not even thinking about anything in particular!).  God prompted me to go on a hike this afternoon, but it wasn't so I could accomplish anything at all; it was just so He could show me His glory and help me learn how to let myself enjoy being known by Him...and simply that alone.

not from today..... I'm thankful I didn't have my camera, actually.... gave me more time to experience it with two eyes. but, of course, any other day I take about 50 million pictures of the mountains.