Yesterday I ventured up 522 to Sperryville, VA, where I caught 211 and made my way up to Thorton Gap. There I got in line to show my annual pass to the national park service person. Before leaving on this adventure, I asked my traveling companion if he had ever been up to Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Mountains, and he said "no." This was a complete surprise since this person had lived in Virginia his whole life and could see the mountains from just about anywhere in Culpeper. He had seen them from a distance, but had never been there and experienced their beauty. So, when we made the turn on to Skyline Drive, I knew my traveling companion would be in awe. I was not disappointed. As we pulled off the roadway onto one of the many overlooks he said, "This is really beautiful." I agreed with him and said, "Let's get out and take this all in." As we stood there on top of the Blue Ridge Mountains looking out towards the west we were speechless as we attempted to comprehend all that our eyes were seeing. We were at one of the highest points on Skyline Drive and down below was the great Shenandoah Valley. Houses and barns looked like you could reach out and pick them up with your fingers. Automobiles appeared as ants. At 3500 ft we watched hawks glide on invisible wind currents below us in search of prey. We were both just standing there in quiet wonder when my travelling companion broke the silence with, "I would like to have a house right here!" I was again surprised, but this time at his reaction and thoughts upon experiencing the beauty of the mountains. I responded with, "Yes, and you could be sorta like... king of the mountain." Then my friend made this statement, which caught me off guard. He said matter-of-factly, "I AM king of the mountain." We both kinda laughed then got back in the car and drove to another overlook not far down the road. I thought about that statement later..."I am king of the mountain." Sometimes I feel like that. And sometimes I believe I am king of the mountain...at least king of my mountain. Sometimes I do try to be king. Sometimes I act like I am king. That is...until my mountain begins to crumble underneath my feet. It's then that I am ready for someone else to be king. Sometimes I try to take the place of the one who is king. I say things like, "I've got this" or "I've got it under control" or "I can handle this." But, when my mountain starts to crumble it reminds me that I really don't have this under control and I can't really handle this on my own. I need someone else to be king...someone who can handle all this...someone who really is king of the mountain.
God, be king of my mountain. Take your rightful place. Let me not even entertain the thought that somehow I can be king. For you alone are worthy and able to truly be king of the mountain.
Duane
