Trees serve as soaring spires in a nature-filled cathedral.

Moira Cullen | Contributor

The first time I flew in a plane, it was a dark and gloomy day. I still remember breaking through that thick layer of clouds, amazed that there was sunshine on the other side. The discovery of this new world, unaffected by the day’s gloom and rain delighted my young heart. This experience has become a vivid icon for me of prayer. Prayer is like the experience of breaking through the clouds on a dark and gloomy day.

Prayer provides peace and balance to my day. This Irish temper of mine can only be tamed by quiet moments spent in prayer, and so I do it for my family as well as for myself. It's not always easy to find the time to pray, but it is always worth it. It certainly helps to get up early and to pray in a quiet, still place before my four very energetic children are calling for attention.

In recent months I have discoverd the many benefits of bringing my prayer time into the beauty of the outdoors. Outdoors, the landscape seems to encourage the soaring of one's spirit to celestial heights. As of late, this has required blankets, hats and coffee in hand, but to be outside in the beauty of a simple country landscape encourages a spiritual perspective that is not as easily gained indoors.

As the days are growing colder, I know that I will soon have to return to the indoors for my morning prayer, but my winter resolution is to get outside every day and take a brisk walk in the beauty of nature. In these quiet moments outdoors, I have a chance to reconnect with God and to remember that God is a Someone — a Someone who knew that upon entering this nature-filled cathedral with trees that serve as soaring spires, I would better hear the whispered words that I am very, very loved.

A country road in the Ann Arbor area.

Moira Cullen | Contributor

Moira Cullen co-owns with husband John Cullen, Celtic Gardens, a design/build garden firm in Dexter. She is a home-schooling mother of four very energetic children. To learn more visit: www.celticgardenimports.com or reach them by email.