As I stopped to admire a particular scene along the ice-covered trail in one of my favorite nature sanctuaries, there came a loud noise and I suddenly found myself facedown on the ground. I had slipped on the ice. So unexpected and quick was the fall, I had no time to make any efforts to temper it. Only later did I realize that the sound I had heard resulted from my face hitting the ice; the area around my left eye apparently bore the brunt of the impact.
While I was still facedown on the ice, before I'd even had time to assess the situation, there was a profound pause. There was no confusion or stunned feeling or unawareness of where I was or what had just happened, and there was no pain. I was completely alert, and my perception was completely clear, like a brand-new sheet of paper waiting for the first words to be written upon it. It occurred to me that what I had in that moment was an opportunity to choose what I was going to believe about the whole thing. Was I going to fill thought with a long list of possible physical injuries that would have to be overcome? Or was I going to believe the wholeness and freedom of spiritual reality that Christ Jesus had proved to be true about God and creation when he healed the sick and injured? Without question, I chose spiritual reality. In this light, I knew I wasn't injured.
As I picked myself up, it seemed wisest to return to the visitor buildings rather than continue along the icy trail. I was also aware of some blood on my face that I wanted to wash off. I wanted my appearance to really reflect the spiritual freedom I felt.
