When I lived at Honey Lake plantation it once was invaded by thousands and thousands of crows and it was a strange phenomenon that I’ve never experienced before or since. We’ve always had our share of these raucous birds that seem to derive untold amounts of pleasure in banding together and chasing hawks and owls from one end of the plantation to the other. But this was different; there were literally thousands of them, and they all seemed to be talking at once as they circled back and forth – back and forth. I suspected that Honey Lake must have been one of their rally points for their big migration from the north.
We had some cyclists that stopped over for lunch one day, and one of them remarked that he loved our plantation except for the crows. Taking a break from their long ride, the cyclists enjoyed grilled hot dogs and hamburgers served outside under a canopy of majestic, centuries-old, Spanish moss-draped, oak trees, but the lovely setting was marred for this city slicker cyclist by the annoying caw – caw – cawing of the thousands of circling black crows to which he referred to as “Black Devils”.
I once gave a seminar with the subject of clearing one’s mind and thinking. It is difficult to do especially with the sky black with crazy crows cawing. These crows reminded me of the world in which we live with its honking cars, wailing sirens, people talking, non-stop television, babies crying, dogs barking, dishes rattling, radios blaring; it’s enough to make one go bonkers and scream. No one could possibly expect that they could focus, think, or pray in such conditions.
I like to go to the deepest interior of our property to my deer stand and sit back in the golden silence and smile like a goat eating briars for several hours as I enjoy the stillness and peace. There I think about deep subjects, and I pray and pray. I am not rushed nor hurried. I don’t have to be anywhere, or answer any e-mails, or phone calls; I just sit there in silence and enjoy it, not caring if a deer steps out or not. Just prior to the orange sun sinking below the tree line, a hush will come over the woods as though the wildlife and fauna are observing a moment of silence for God Almighty as He adjusts the day to night.
I have told friends that God is not a screamer. It has been my experience that He whispers softly to us through our minds. As we study His word, He opens it up to our comprehension. The more we seek Him, the more He blesses us with understanding. He instructs us to pray “ceaselessly”.
Why? I believe that He enjoys hearing from us. Prayer reminds me of talking to my kids. As an empty nester, it often gets lonely around the farm. I love it when my children call me and am sad when they don’t. Not only does it make me feel good that they care enough about me to call, but I just like hearing from them and listening to their dreams and hearing about their children, (my grandkids), and helping them with their problems when they ask for my advice. I think God feels like that as well.
I think we spend too little time thinking, praying, taking time out from our busy schedules to enjoy our families and friends whom we hold dear, but most of all in spending quality time with our Lord and Savior. I named my home at Honey Lake “Selah”. I’m sure you have seen that term in the Bible. It originated as a musical interlude or rest. Its formal definition means to stop, rest, and meditate. I think we should do more of that.
I always try to emulate Jesus and we all remember how He would go to the desert, or high atop a mountain, or out on the sea to find the necessary solitude, away from the throngs whereby He could converse with His Holy Father in an appropriate manner. I think He loved those times.
It’s difficult to pray, set goals, or think through complicated problems with a thousand crows circling. Retreat to a quiet place where God can stir your innermost thoughts to His glory and your benefit. Try it today – You will like it . . . (And if you head for a deer stand you just might end up with some venison in the process).
Mark 1:35
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.