About eight years ago, while visiting our daughter in Connecticut, we - with her encouragement - dug up some wild lilies and brought them home to western Pennsylvania. I immediately planted them on our bank where they have prospered ever since! For several weeks in June and July they show forth their beautiful colors and bring us a great deal of pleasure!
In my retirement, Gabe and I pretty regularly take a morning ride together in my truck. We travel the back roads of our community - sometimes running an errand while we're out. It's one of the pleasures of this stage of my life.
I frequently stop along the way to take pictures of things that delight or amuse me. Some of these make their way to Facebook.
I'm often filled with praise for God at the beauty of our world. It might be a sunrise [back when I was a Lyft driver] or sunset. Or the beauty of the snow. Or the colors of fall. Or a tree with character. Or the beauty of the wildflowers!
It's usually that last one! 😊 I frequently marvel that God has planned things so carefully for our enjoyment. From early spring through the summer and into the fall, there are a continual array of lilies and flowering plants that simply grow wild along our roads and in our fields. When one begins to die out, another rises up to take its place! Some are yellow, others red, a few pink, and many orange. Some are tall and wave in the wind. Others grow close to the ground and serve as ground-cover. All reveal a master plan by a Master Designer!
I've tried repeatedly to transplant some of these - with very little success [except the ones from Connecticut]. So, I take daily rides to view and appreciate them. And while driving, I repeatedly give thanks to God for His attention to detail and faithful provision!
Another thing that I frequently thank Him for is the wonder and joy that comes as a result of living in a geographical area that enjoys four nearly equal-in-length seasons of the year. I know that some would argue that winter seems longer than spring, summer and fall - but winter's pleasures of looking out my window while enjoying the warmth of our home is something that I enjoy!
Spring is my favorite season! It shocks me when June arrives and signals the end of the season! The coming to life of all around us just fills me with excitement and joy! A LOT of yardwork accompanies spring, but so far I've been able to keep up with it! I love days when it hits 60 degrees and I peel off my flannel shirt as I work!
Summer is my least favorite season. I've always said that my miserable zone begins at 80 degrees and when it gets above 90 - you don't want to be around me! 😰 Summer evokes a deep gratitude in me for the ones who invented air conditioning! But, I will admit that riding with the windows down and sitting outside till 9:00 PM are pleasures that many of us thoroughly enjoy!
When I was younger, fall was my favorite season. I still love fall. It's great to have to pull out jackets in order to remain comfortable. Outside work is so much more pleasant to do during this season! When I was younger, the smell of burning leaves [we don't seem to do that anymore] was a favorite for me. It was an annual job that my dad put me in charge of at our home on Brighton Heights! It was my preferred time for backpacking and I've spent weeks in the woods hiking different trails - just me and God!
There are many expressions of appreciation for nature in God's Word. I've chosen Psalm 8, taken from the almost unrecognizable version: The Message Bible.
No comments:
Post a Comment