This morning I set out for morning walk. It all began in the darkness before dawn when the house is still. As I stretched these old bones and got ready to begin, slowly the the first light of day began to reveal a waking world. This was the view that awaited.

It is within the capacity of we humans to transcend these moments and realize what St. Paul talks about in Roman 1 – God created the world so that we would see the handiwork of God in the world and have our minds turn to God. And so it did. A prayer of thanksgiving as I set off on the morning’s endeavor.

My usual walk is 5.5 miles through neighborhoods and nature trails. I especially enjoy the nature trails. This morning’s walk included rabbits, deer, inch worms, a centipede, a reddish brown streak of motion (probably a fox) and a babbling creek or two…. and lots of ups and downs. A health app on my phone tells me that I climbed the equivalent of 16 flights of stairs.

As in most of the country, this summer is getting warmer, in some places deadly hot. Here in Northern Virginia the mornings are low 70s with noticeable humidity. It is a bit cooler in the aspiration of the trees, but all-in-all it is still a perspiring experience. It is the last 0.5 miles that is the challenge. It is simply uphill all the way home with some pitches of the road probably above 15%. There at the end of the walk it is always a trudge getting up the hill.

Today was a moment of mindfulness. As I trudged up the hill, the most wonderful of breezes poured downhill. The trees perked up as they do with wind, as did I. It was the most divine of gifts. It was a reminder that our days can be breathtaking, enjoyable, and a trudge – but if we are mindful, we will see the presence of God was always ever present in every moment and are called to thanksgiving.