This morning as I look out my office window, Father, I think of You as my great Creator God. Yes, it is towards the end of February in Ohio. The trees are barren except for the last of the beech tree leaves clinging brown to their branches. The grass is a green of sorts but with patches of earth tones (and earth as well) throughout. Clouds rule this day and waves of light rain continue to fall. It may seem lifeless and dreary from a human perspective but it is nothing of the sort!
Each tree is readying itself to burst forth with life. Even now many in our area are harvesting the running sap from sugar maples and syrup will soon be the result. Our warm “winter” has already caused daffodils and crocuses to begin to push through the earth. Our noses aren’t overly pleased but our healthy population of skunks has been scurrying about for a couple of weeks now. The rain continues to fill ponds that were beginning to get low. Aquifers are being rejuvenated.
Life is everywhere; it’s just a little less obvious. It is not dreary; it is vibrant! The world is just shrouded in its winter cloak biding its time until God calls it to shed its covering and amazingly come into view.
Lord, You have created a beautiful, intricately designed world! Each piece meshed perfectly with the others – each tree unique, each creature different in some way, even within a given species. “Everything is beautiful in its own way,” as Ray Stevens used to sing.
“But 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 in 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
May I see the world for what it is. It is now beautiful in its own way but it will soon shine forth in even more dazzling beauty. Each season has its offering, may I savor each for the bounty it has to offer. Amen!
Feb 22nd, Wed., 8:41 am
