Simplicity

I believe with my heart something I have struggled with for years.  Life is as simple as you make it because Divinity’s relationship with us comes down to a simple question.  Do you love me?
 
In the Redwoods everything that seemed important yesterday just isn’t.  I don’t know any other way to explain the overwhelming simplicity of life that resonates with the Divine.  If there was any question about this approach it was solved in a conversation on the “other side of the river”.
 
Two of us headed out on our bicycles.  The logging road, nature, hills, smells, and weather exceeded even our highest expectations.  Mile after mile piled on with great hill climbs nestled between the downhill races that I always seem to lose because of my fear.  The south fork of the Eel River stayed on our right until the second set of rail tracks.  We initially tried the assent on the second set of hills only to recognize our age in the first quarter mile. 
 
The other side of the river called out loud and clear.  Shady trees, river rock giving way to a hard packed dirt road that was flat!  This was clearly a road needing exploration.  The river rocks were a challenge to ride; slipping and sliding was a norm with great spin-outs if one put too much effort into pedaling.  It was fun but serious work.  The shade and road couldn’t come too quickly. 
 
We sat in the shade enjoying cool water far more than should be allowed.  As we heard a motorcycle rumble to life we wondered who would appear.  As the old black bike slid to a stop just beyond us we discovered we were in conversation with one who was “fifth generation this side of the river.”  The conversation that followed showed us how little we knew and how much he did about land on which we stood.
 
At times when Jesus spoke “the Jews were impressed, but puzzled: ‘How does he know so much without being schooled?’”  (John 7.15)  Divinity is like that; I will listen.