bubbling brooks and mountain streams cause quite a commotion
while on their way to the far-off ocean;
but, a still mountain lake spurns all that jazz
and quietly rests with what it has.
June 3, 2019. Monday. 7:54 PM.
“This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says:
“In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength,
but you would have none of it.”
Isaiah 30:15. (NIV).
Still Mountain Lake
He was walking around the Lake. And thinking. And looking. And imagining. And feeling. And yearning. The Lake was still as glass, as a looking glass. He wondered if the Lake had a soul, if she had thoughts and emotions and imaginings — like he. He walked up to her shore and stopped. And he was quiet for a while . . . listening, hoping to hear her thoughts. Her thoughts were as still as her surface. He wanted to speak to her, to address her. He wondered about her name. The name Sonya came into his mind. He thought: Sonya, you are so quiet. Would you speak to me?
Sonya: “What would you like to hear?” she asked.
He: “Tell me that you love me, Sonya.”
Sonya: “I love you.”
He: “Thank you, Sonya. I love you, too.”
Sonya: “What else would you like to hear?”
He: “Well, I like music.”
Sonya: “Listen to the sound of silence. Out of that silence will you hear my speech.” [see 1 Kings 19:1-13 (KJV)].
[“And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and break in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:11-13 (KJV) ]
He: “Sometimes, I want to hear a few words and see a face.”
Sonya: “Write to a friend. She might write back to you.”
And just then, he heard a noise behind him, like the snapping of a twig.
He turned and saw a woman walking by on the trail called Lake Shore Path. She turned and their eyes met for a moment – for “One Moment in Time.” He called out to her, “Wait, I must speak to you.” She stopped. He walked toward her. She called back to him. “Stop right where you are. I don’t know you. I have a gun.” She lifted her jacket a few inches and drew her gun. He answered, “I don’t want to hurt you. I only want to speak with you.” She answered back, “That’s what they all say. I can shoot like Annie Oakley. Don’t take another step toward me or it could be your last.” “OK.” He said. “Can we speak from a distance?” “Go ahead. Speak.” “With your gun drawn, I can’t say much. My mind is nearly still.” She put her gun away. “I can read your mind if you will permit me?” “I permit you,” he said. For a minute they were both silent as she read his mind. Then she spoke. “OK, August. I understand now that you are not a danger to me. You may approach me for conversation, if you still wish.”
August slowly began to walk toward the woman. “How do you know my name?” he asked.
She: “I read your mind, August.”
August: “I’m sorry. I don’t know your name, yet.”
She: “My name is Sonya.”
August turned for one moment and glanced at the Lake – and then returned his gaze to Sonya, wondering if she was the lady of the lake . . . the soul of the Lake. When he reached her he held out his hand, hoping she would shake it and he could tell if she was more than a vision.
Sonya: “You may not touch me, August. You are permitted only to speak to me, now. What do you wish to say to me?”
August: “Well, to be honest with you, Sonya, I was just having a spiritual conversation with the Lake; and imagined her name was Sonya; and then you came walking along. And your name is Sonya and so I’m wondering if you are the soul of that Lake, the Lady of the Lake.”
Sonya: “August, I can tell that there is something special about you. You are not an ordinary man. How is that, August?”
August: “I don’t know the answer to that question, Sonya. I guess I’m what I am. That’s all I know about it.”
Sonya: “I will accept that answer for the time being, August. And now what? What do you want with me?”
August: “I would like to walk with you, Sonya. And converse with you.”
Sonya: “Converse? Converse about what?”
August: “About whatever comes to mind, I guess. I just want to enjoy someone’s company.”
Sonya: “August, are you lonely?”
August: “I guess I am lonely.”
Sonya: “Would you like to hold my hand as we walk together, August?”
August: “Yes, I would.”
Sonya held out her hand and August gently took her hand in his. And they began to walk together around the Lake.
August glanced at the Lake as they walked together and asked, “Sonya, I’ve always thought of the name of this Lake as Still Mountain Lake. Is that it’s real name?”
Sonya: “Some call it by that name. Others call it Lake Higher Water. And still others call it The Lord’s Lake.” Sonya glanced at August as they walked. And she wanted to read his mind again. “August, would you permit me to read your mind again?”
August: “You have my permission, Sonya,” Sonya stopped and looked intently into August’s eyes. And August looked into Sonya’s eyes. And after several moments Sonya began to swoon. So, August put his arm around Sonya’s waist to hold her from falling in a faint. His firm grasp strengthened Sonya and she came out of her faint. “Thank you, August.”
August: “What happened, Sonya? Why did you swoon?”
Sonya: “As I was reading your mind, August . . . well, there is so much there that it overwhelmed me.” Sonya looked intently at August again and in all seriousness asked, “Where do you come from, August?”
August: “My parents told me I was born in Woonsocket, that’s all I know.” And then a broad smile came across August’s face. And Sonya felt such joy in his smile that her heart was also filled with this joy. And she put her arms around him to embrace this joy that surrounded them “in the Spirit on the Lord’s day.” [see Galatians 5:22; Revelation 1:10a. KJV].
Sonya: “August, are you a believer in Jesus Christ the Son of God Most High?”
August: “Yes.”
Sonya: “How did this happen?”
August: “Andree wrote to me quoting the Bible about Jesus and the gospel and being born again. So, I began reading my Bible with more understanding than I had before about the Scriptures and the gospel. And she invited me to visit her at the seminary where she was studying the Bible. And I went. And while there, I heard the testimony of other believing students. And while we were walking along one beautiful Spring day in early April 1978, outside of Philadelphia, I confessed that I believed the Bible was the word of God. And we went into a field along this country road and prayed to the Lord God. And I confessed to God that I was a sinner; and believed that Jesus is the Son of God, and my Saviour, Who shed His Blood on the Cross for my redemption and salvation. And about 5 weeks later, was baptized in a Baptist church in Woonsocket on May 14th after the Sunday service.
August: Sonya, just thought of another name for the Lake.”
Sonya: “What is it?”
August: “Looking-Glass Lake.”
Sonya: “Yes, you were looking for someone at the Lake of the Stillness. And in your own stillness you listened and spoke to her of The Lord’s Lake. And she heard you and answered you. And when you honestly admitted that you wanted to see a face and hear her words, she appeared to you. And she spoke to you and walked with you and held hands with you–and even embraced you in joy. And became your friend, your loving friend.”
August: “Sonya, when will I see you again?”
Sonya: “When its time has come, August.”
August: “What time to come, Sonya?”
Sonya: “The time for a change, August.”
Mark's Imaginings 
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