My First Spiritual Experience

I thought I’d share my first spiritual experience with you as we approach the New Year.

But first I’ve gotta ask!

Am I the only kid who wrestled with who God was? I wondered if God was more than “some being” we heard about during religious services and education. Inquiring minds wanted to know if God was real.

Probably I’m just “special.” Hah!

Alone in the woods

Sometime during my Middle School years (12 – 13 years old), I sat in the woods near my house all by myself musing. Was all I heard in religious education and services true?

So I got bold. I was not naturally bold, but heck, I was all alone. Let’s give it a try.

I clearly asked God if God existed. Oh snap, Creator responded with an experience I’ll never forget! It was visceral, experiential. From that experience, I knew Creator was real.

First off, I felt a loving, intelligent, caring presence responding to me. Then, somehow Creator withdrew its presence from my life, the world and the Universe – or allowed me to experience creation without the Creator’s presence.  I was horrified. It was worse than if someone had sucked the air off the planet. Luckily, Creator returned to the world and I felt safe and loved again.

I never doubted the reality of Creator/Source/God. Even when I got off track, off my life purpose. That truth was seared into my blueprint.

Thanks, Dad, for getting me out in Nature!

I have my father, Irving Hahn, to thank for this. Not because he was religious. Mom had that covered.

But if any of us kids were spending too much time inside, Dad would command, “Go outside and get the stink blown off you!”

Doing nothing useful

So I spent a lot of time outside doing nothing useful.

Looking under rocks to see what lived there, getting wet in streams looking for crayfish, pollywogs and frogs, listening to birds and trying not to step on bees…

And in the presence of nature, without adult supervision, the Creator connected with me when I asked.

Continue the tradition?

Maybe you could continue my Dad’s tradition. Tell your kids – or yourself – “Go out and get the stink blown off you!”

Find your love of Nature. And help them find Creator’s presence and delight in Creation – which includes them!

P.S. It took me a while to make the connection, but I now realize that I chose “Sacred Grove” because of this spiritual experience.

Read my bio!

Have you found a connection to the Creator in Nature? I’d love to hear your story!

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About Maribeth:

Maribeth Decker was NOT talking to animals when she was a kid or through her early years.

Maribeth’s gift manifested fully when Tibor, her rescue dog from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, began sending her an image as he sat next to her.

This is good news for those who think they can’t communicate with their animals because they never have – with perseverance and intention, it is possible!