Thin Places in Nature: Sacred Moments Shared with Friends

There are moments in life when the veil between heaven and earth feels remarkably thin—when God’s presence seems to shimmer all around us. The Celts called these “thin places”—spaces where the spiritual and physical worlds meet, where our souls breathe a little easier and our hearts open a little wider.

For many of us, nature is where these thin places come alive. Standing at the edge of a quiet lake as the morning mist rises, watching sunlight filter through ancient trees, or hearing the wind whisper across a mountaintop—these moments awaken something deep within us. They remind us that we are not alone, that creation itself is humming with the presence of the Creator.

But there’s something even more beautiful about encountering these sacred spaces with friends. When we walk together in wonder—pausing to listen to a bird’s song or to marvel at the way the aspen leaves quake in the breeze—our shared awe becomes a kind of worship. We begin to see God not only in the landscape but in one another. Our laughter, silence, and stories become holy echoes of God’s joy.

Thin places are not about the destination—they’re about presence. They invite us to slow down, to set aside distraction, and to truly see. Often, it’s in these spaces that conversations go deeper, hearts soften, and connection blossoms. The beauty around us gently draws us inward, opening our souls to grace and gratitude.

Maybe your thin place is a forest trail, a stretch of prairie, or a quiet spot by the entangled roots of towering pine trees. Perhaps it’s watching the sunset with a friend, each of you wrapped in silence that somehow says everything. Wherever it is, these sacred encounters remind us that the Holy is near—closer than our own breath.

So, gather a few friends. Step outside. Leave your phone behind and let creation do what it does best: reveal the heart of God. Walk, listen, breathe, and be. You might just find that the thin places are not rare at all—they’re simply the moments when we are fully present, together, in the wonder of God’s world.

And in that shared stillness, heaven and earth meet, and our souls remember what it feels like to truly belong.

One more thing……We recently spent time together at Spiritual Pathways, tucked away in the peaceful northern Black Hills of South Dakota. The photos in this blog are little glimpses of that sacred place.