Nature's Beauty

"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

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"Nature" is what we see—


The Hill—the Afternoon—


Squirrel—Eclipse— the Bumble bee—


Nay—Nature is Heaven—


Nature is what we hear—


The Bobolink—the Sea—


Thunder—the Cricket—


Nay—Nature is Harmony—


Nature is what we know—


Yet have no art to say—


So impotent Our Wisdom is


To her Simplicity.


Emily Dickinson


Appreciation for nature is a common theme with me. I’m not sure exactly where this comes from, but a few things lead me to believe they had a part:

•          Growing up on a farm
•          Being an introvert who is prone to reflection and quietness
•          Enjoying photography and nature photography in particular

When writers, including scripture, reference nature I tend to take note. I recently read a book where the author wondered where spirituality and science met. This work is Searching for Stars on an Island in Maine, author Alan Lightman. He was a scientist himself, and, according to one reviewer: “wonders at the natural world, at the incongruity of certain ineffable experiences and emotions living side by side with the desire to find the rules that govern our universe.”

When have you been overwhelmed by the wonders of our natural world? If you can't recall, you are missing much of what God has created. To echo Susan Taylor's devotion from last week, we should "open our eyes" to the beauty that surrounds us.

After reading Emily Dickinson’s poem, which Lightman quotes briefly in this book, I wanted to share these photos with you, which are reflected in the first lines.

Prayer: Thank you, God, for this beautiful world. Thank you for the creatures who inhabit it, thank you for the beauty, and thank you for ruling over it all. Amen.

Donna Gustafson

(click on photos to view larger)