31 Then God surveyed everything He had made, savoring its beauty and appreciating its goodness… Genesis 1:31
Do you feel it? Are you beginning to see shadows growing longer, the sun hanging lower and sunset coming sooner? Awww… Fall is in the air, it’s the first day and pumpkin spice is everywhere! Fall fashion is all you see in the stores, although I can’t even think of wearing a sweater or anything more than shorts at the moment, but I can feel the change in the air.
This time of year I am always reminded of a vacation we were gifted with at a Time Share in Tahoe. It was in the 90s and was the last week in October. We were excited to get away; we hadn’t had a vacation because of various reasons in about 11 or so years. Besides actually being at Lake Tahoe, one of my vivid memories was our drive to get there. When we were on U.S. Highway 50 I began to notice the types of trees changing, and we could feel the change in the air. No longer in the lowlands, a few Pines and Aspens began to appear and a little bit of orange and gold color. As the altitude went higher, I became overwhelmed with the stunning color of the golden Aspens! Never before had I seen trees change color like that! I was in sensory overload! Absolutely glorious! I was in total awe of God’s generous creation and felt so blest to be able to witness this wonderful sight!
Friends of ours lived in North Carolina for a few years and they would send pictures (before iphones) of the Blue Ridge Mountains. As beautiful as the pictures where, my friend would say you must see them in person, they are stunning! It’s still on the bucket list. What I am continuously aware of is God’s love for humanity through the beauty that was given to us through creation to enjoy, live in and care for. During this time of social distancing and uncertainty, may we all be able to get outside and sit under a tree, hear the birds, smell the flowers and experience God’s love through the gift of creation.
“O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder consider all the worlds thy hand hath made. I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder, thy power throughout the universe displayed.
When through the woods and forest glades I wander, and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze.
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to thee! How great thou art! How great thou art! Then sings my soul, my savior God to thee. How great thou art! How great thou art!” Stuart K. Hine
Gracious loving God, thank you for all the beauty you surround us with. May we learn better ways of caring for creation, feel our sight and senses with aww and wonder and our hearts for all of humanity.
Amen.
Brenda