I’ve had a few moments in my life when I stopped to take in everything around me. Why? The beauty was simply overwhelming and I thanked God.

When I was 16, I was fishing with a friend on Anderson Lake, near Port Townsend. Each of us had a one man inflatable raft. In darkness, we paddled to the northernmost shore of the lake and set anchor. As the sun rose over the tree line, its rays permeated the water at an angle that revealed logs and fish from the depths of the lake. Moments later a number of ducks glided to softly land on the smooth surface of the water. I could actually hear the sound of their wings cutting through the air. I told myself to remember that moment and to cherish it.

A similar thing happened last year. We were vacationing at Moclips Beach on the Washington coast. I woke up about 5 a.m. one morning and headed out to the shoreline. There was a minus tide. I walked to the edge of the wet sand and looked back at the cabin. It appeared to be so very small. Through the mist, I watched the sunrise, then scanned north and south. I could see no one else on that place that kissed the Pacific Ocean — not a single soul. This was another “wow” moment in time for me and I told myself to cherish it.

The other day I was thinking of what motivated me to place such high value upon those slices of time. I think that part of it was because of the quiet around me. There was a rare stillness. It was then that I was able to sense the presence of God like no other.

It is much easier to “feel” God when we strip away the activity, noise, and clutter of our everyday lives.

For me, this has helped reinforce a belief that God is always with me. Even when I may not sense or feel it – when my attention is diverted by life’s noisy and complex nature, God is there. Thanks be to God.

Walter is pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church and has served as parish pastor for more than 25 years.