How to Listen in the Forest

A Story for You

Happy June Beloveds,

Here is a short story that came to me early one May morning. I listened for it, and it shared itself with me. This month, I am grateful for the friends who have come to meet me with care in the in-between. I am also grateful for God’s grace & mercy as I learn to listen and take heed. I hope this month brings you tender care too, and some space to listen. 💛

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How to Listen in the Forest

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

Psalm 23:1-6 NKJV

Amen.

Is this the prayer that folks pray when they need to lean on God’s strength? Because I need it. I’m new to leaning on God’s strength. My family has always done so, but I’m a new model. For generations in my bloodline, there has always been a first cousin who stands outside of the entry way to the forest that my family has lived near for generations. These cousins are there to protect it as sentinels do and we call them peaceful warriors (PWs for short). My family has a special relationship with the forest. Before all this stuff, I would’ve been able to go alone peacefully to have my own first time experience with the forest. But now, since ancient moments of trouble have returned, I have to be careful who I strike up a conversation with and how I approach the forest. My Aunt Merle is the one standing guard at the forest entryway these days. She is really my cousin, but I call her aunt because she is much older than me. A respect thing. Sometimes, she is there in the form of herself, but most times she works as a tree or bird—always very pretty, alive, and singing. She’s attractive and enticing, but she’s dangerous too.