"Lord, you have done such great things! How deep are your thoughts!" -Psalm 92:5
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them and it was good.
Picture with me a beautiful sunny spring day, the temperature is in the 80s and every so often a warm breeze sails through the air. Walk with me through the full green grass, maybe barefoot so you can squish your toes through the softness. Smell the blooming lilac trees and the assortment of flowers blooming around you. As we sit, possibly under a Weeping Willow or on a beautifully crafted bench we can hear the melodies of the birds, the chirping of the crickets and bullfrogs. And if we listen carefully, we might hear the chatter of the chipmunks, let’s sit by the babbling brook as it trickles its way around rocks and obstacles humming as it moves downstream.
Are you there with me? Are you at peace as a smile crosses your lips? This is God’s gift to us; this is the home He created from the beginning. A place to find relaxation and peace.
If you live in the city you probably long for weekends you can get to go out in nature for some quiet downtime. If you’re fortunate enough to live near mountains you’ve probably enjoyed a day or two driving and hiking through them. If you live in the country, you’re probably thankful for each day God has given you to be in nature.
Each of us comes from different walks in life but we all have one thing in common. We long for peace, quiet, and rest. In nature we can see God’s handiwork at its best. I believe God enjoys things like we do and that’s why He created so many variations on vibrant flowers, tall trees, colorful birds, and interesting animals. He didn’t want us to just sit in nature but enjoy nature. And when we begin to study nature and the animals we begin to see and understand God. Nature can be calming and if we truly soak it in we can find the peace we are desperately seeking.
C. Austin Mills said it best when he wrote the hymn ‘In The Garden’. Now it has become a beloved hymn by so many and really speaks of our walk with God.
My grandmother loved the hymn and when we sang family songs she would often pick that one. When she was sick and losing her battle to life I sat with her and we sang the song together the best we could and with all she was battling I believe singing it brought her some peace and that God was comforting her.
“I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses. And the voice I hear falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses. And He walks with me and He talks with me. And He tells me I am His own. And the joy we share as we tarry there. None other has ever known!”
So, no matter what season you love, get out in nature. Explore the gift God has given you in each season, in them you will find their own unique qualities. Walk and talk with God and find peace, comfort, and enjoyment!
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