The early morning hoot of an owl blessed my heart. In my
mind’s eye, I saw him perched high in a tree, awakening the dawn. On occasion
I’ve spotted an owl in the daytime, his fuller body and wider head differing
from a hawk. I rarely hear owls, so this hoot was a special treat.
That same
morning I saw the first bluebird of the season checking out our birdhouse. And
daffodils poked up green fingers at the edge of our yard. To God be the glory for
the good gifts of nature.
Five Reasons to
Thank God for Nature:
Nature reminds us of the
greatness of God. In Job 39, God reminds Job of who He is and the power He
has. He laid the earth’s foundation, fixed limits for the sea, and created creatures
great and small, wild, and tame: owls, donkeys, eagles, and puppies, to name
just a few.
Only God
knows the path of a thunderstorm and how mountain goats give birth. Only He
governs the instincts of animals from the ostrich that doesn’t have the sense
to nurture her young to the horse that charges into battle.
Nature
gives us something to explore and talk about with children and grandchildren. At
a hunting camp, we walk down trails, dictionary in hand, identifying
wildflowers. At home, we consult “the bird book” to identify visitors to our
feeder. The rare indigo bunting or yellow-breasted sapsucker have been special
treats.
When
grandson Scott was three-years-old, I held him on my lap, pointing out
squirrels leaping from branch to branch, high in the trees. I asked him if he
would like to do that. With all seriousness he replied, “Mommy said ‘no.’” I
treasure such memories.
Nature
offers us opportunities to care for the earth, as God commanded in Genesis 1.
We tend our lawn, recycle plastics, paper, and books. Under fluorescent bulbs,
my husband, Bill, grows flower plants from seed. He then plants and tends a
flowerbed.
Nature
offers opportunities to exercise. Gardening, caring for yards, and raising
crops all keep us in shape physically. Taking walks, canoeing, kayaking, or
playing outdoor games all offer exercise.
Along the
Susquehanna River in our capitol city, beds of flowers spread between spaces
with equipment to do push-ups, chin-ups, and other sorts of exercise.
Nature
entertains us in our senior years. As Bill and I eat breakfast we watch the
birds at the feeder. We once spotted an eagle soaring above our home. We enjoy seeing
deer running through our yard and nibbling our flowers. Well, maybe not so much
the latter. But we only chase them when they chomp on one of our tomato plants.
We decorate our porch and deck with hanging baskets and planters. All this
brings peace to our souls when we look out our windows or sit on our front
porch rocking chairs. To God be the glory!
Ask the animals, and they will
teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the
earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of
all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is
the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind” (Job 12:7-10 NIV).
Whether we
live in an apartment with houseplants, in a house with flowerbeds in our yards,
or on a farm with fields of golden grain, let’s thank God for nature and enjoy
the treasures He has created. To God be the glory!
