On the Minister's Mind

by Rev. Laine Morgan

Growing up in Colorado, I often found myself in the mountains with friends and family. It was there, in that wild and beautiful landscape, that I first experienced a natural phenomenon that perfectly illustrates a spiritual principle we’re being called to remember right now.

Standing on the edge of a canyon, I remember my dad teaching me that if I shouted a message, the mountains would send it back to me. I was captivated by the echo—amazed that nature could mirror my voice so faithfully. Over and over, the response came. Sometimes instantly, sometimes after a pause, depending on the distance of the canyon walls—but it always returned. The mountains were always willing to give back exactly what I sent out.

If I shouted, “I hate you,” the mountain simply agreed.
If I shouted love, nature loved me back without hesitation.
The choice was always mine.

I’ve come to see that life works the same way. When I leave the house in a jangled, unsettled state of mind, I meet that same energy reflected back at me—chaotic traffic, a mixed-up coffee order, a tense exchange with a neighbor, even a dog barking in my direction. Does the universe really respond to what we are putting out? Yes—but not always immediately, and not always in the ways we expect.

So as we focus on love during this week leading up to Valentine’s Day, I invite you to play with the echo effect of life.

Step into each day with a heart full of love—even if it takes intentional spiritual practice to get there. Take a treat to your coworkers. Offer kindness freely to strangers. Tip generously and draw a heart on the receipt. Reach out to a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. Tell the people you love—clearly and without hesitation—how much they matter to you.

In other words, shout your love from the mountaintops.

Then, listen for your echo.

Remember, the canyon wall may not look like the person you offered love to. The reflection may come through someone or something you never expected, bouncing back from a place you couldn’t see in the moment. But love always returns. This is spiritual law.

Watch for it. Listen for it. Trust it.

Happy Valentine’s Day!