My Cleft in the Rock

What is a cleft in a rock? Why do I call it mine?

The Hebrew word for "cleft" is chagav which means
to take refuge, a rift in the rocks.
I think the following quote from King Solomon sums it up quite nicely for me.
"So I went with Him, and when we were climbing the rocky steps up the hillside, my beloved shepherd said to me. O my dove, while you are here in the seclusion of the clefts in the solid rock, in the sheltered and secret place of the cliff, let me see your face, let me hear your voice; for you voice is sweet, and your face is lovely."

I have found a place that I can run, walk or saunter along, a place where I can be silent, sing or cry out my heart, or laugh to my hearts content, a place not frequented by many others, a place that abounds with nature; eagles, hawks, herons, ducks, swans, muskrats, coyotes, seasonal farmlands, a magnificent view of the mountains, all kinds of weather especially the wind blowing across the valley.

This place I call my cleft in the rock, a symbolic refuge. A place of communion with my Lord, who shares in my joys, my struggles, my hearts cry for my life, my family, my friends, my world. In the very beginning I was walking just for the exercise, but to my delight through the perseverance of walking all year long in every kind of weather, I began to discover the hidden beauty and treasures of this place.

I've posted a photo showing one part of my cleft, it may not seem beautiful to you, in fact it's fairly ordinary by dyke standards, but this windy, winding, dyke calls to me to come!
I have had many surprises and delights over the past 2 years of walking here. Once I spotted a family of skunks walking ahead in the distance, needless to say I slowed down and let them disappear down the grassy bank. I have also come to appreciate the seasons and how they relate to the farmland which surrounds both sides of the dyke. The different colours and designs that you see in the growing crops of corn, or in the bare harvested fields. Later I will post some of the seasonal photos from different angles.

I have also posted a photo of my 2 four-legged companions who faithfully help their human get exercised. Raphael is the long- haired black dachshund (3 yrs), Jordan River is the short-haired dachshund (2yr), they are great fun. Sometimes they need a bath after a visit to the dyke, because they have the knack of finding the fresh duck, bird, or eagle doo doo , which they must sample by rolling around in it and bringing that wonderful aroma home with them. Oh well, I always have towels in the car for the ride home.

Perhaps you have a special "cleft in the rock" place, I'd love to hear about it.