Holy Ground, Part Two

One of the truly  energizing experiences during my 2012 sabbatical has been the discovery of holy ground.  Often, we only think of officially sanctioned places and times—church buildings, Sunday morning worship, and so forth.  Those are included on my list, but they’ve been other, sometimes surprising places, that have made my list:

The chapel at Iona Abbey, Scotland (especially the north choir, front row, just to the right of center).

Castlerigg Stone Circle in the Lake District, UK—a prehistoric stone circle.

Pheasant Branch Conservancy, Middleton.

Fingal’s Cave, Island of Staffa, Scotland.

The oratory at Holy Wisdom Monastery, Middleton.

Driving west in my car last week, watching the sun set.

The top of Sheepstor in the Peak District, UK.

In a shady cemetery just yesterday, standing next to the graves of long-lost (and now found) relatives.

The ruined abbey church at Lanercost Priory, UK.

The White Cliffs of Dover.

The top of Tor I’, the highest point on the island of Iona.

The sandstone cliffs along Mirror Lake and the Kickapoo River.

One of the important rediscoveries of my sabbatical has been the importance of these non-traditional holy places for me.  It’s only too easy to get sucked dry by the demands of each day.  Each of these places has been like refreshing rain for my soul.  And it’s the reminder that holy ground can be anywhere, with anyone.  Fresh winds of the Spirit may blow in the most unlikely of places.

Less than three weeks remaining until I return to work.  I’m feeling renewed and refreshed, ready to hit the ground running.  But these holy places will continue to be a part of me and a source of life as I moved forward.

“We are standing on holy ground . . .”