Let's Tout the Hoot!

 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!