God's creation – Roberta Writes

Fall

I love fall.

Crisp mornings. Sunny blue skies and golden leaves. The distinct smell in the air.

I love everything about it.

The pulling in of the harvest, small as mine might be. The making of jellies and the freezing of extra tomatoes. The planning for winter. The rush to get the outdoor projects done.

I even love the fight over who gets their way over the window. I like it open, even if it’s cold; my husband would prefer it shut, even in the heat of the summer. (Have no fear the battle rages on. We are each committed to our own view and there is no compromise in site).

After all the hustle that characterizes the ending of summer, it’s a brief period of quiet. If you live in Canada, it’s the season when you hold your breath wondering when winter will start this year.

At this time of year I sense the world pausing. A short beautiful pause before the next season. None of the hard work of spring, the rebuilding after winter. None of the long languorous days of fun and spirit of the summer. None of the harsh reality of winter. Simply a pause.

A green, yellow, gold, red pause.

Psalm 19: 1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

Fireworks

We have had the opportunity to see several lovely displays of fireworks this summer. I’m always thrilled with fireworks. Such a glory of light in the dark sky. It is always wonderful to see how much the kids enjoy it also.

This year as I watched, I couldn’t help but wonder, if this is what man can create what would God do? What did the creation of the world look like? What wonder and glory were revealed and displayed as he spoke the world into being.

One day we may know. For now, I can only presume it would be more awe-inspiring than I could handle. Like Moses, I would likely have to hide my face from the sheer magnificence.

Pause and reflect

When I was in University, I heard about a Jewish tradition. I ashamed to say I can’t remember the details (I’ll have to ask the Rabbi who lives across the street about it). But the concept, as my sketchy memory conceives it, is that when you see something beautiful you should stop and thank God for the blessing.

I remember this because at the time I was driving in the back country for work. I was using mostly logging roads and secondary roads that wound through areas most people don’t even know exist, let alone visit.

Driving along beside a marshy-pond, surrounded by trees and just the right angle of the sun and it takes your breath away. I remember pulling over to the shoulder (that’s a generous way to describe it) and wishing I had my camera. Instead, I sat in my car and thanked God for his beautiful world.

There was something so comforting about seeing God’s hand in His world. Life may be awful and cruel, but there is also great beauty and nobility. The presence of this was reassuring to my young mind. If God saw fit to put beautiful fireweed, purple and blazing in the sun, here in the middle of nowhere, then how much must he love me too.

Matthew 6: 28-30 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?”