Nature + Me = Love

This weekend I’ve done a lot of driving around the great state of Washington. On Friday night I drove from Moscow, ID (which is only about 5-10 miles from the WA border [ a.k.a Pullman, WA], so it can swing either way state-wise), across the great wasteland – ahem, I mean farmland – that contains Othello, WA and into Ellensburg. Sunday morning I left Ellensburg and drove, on a different interstate, back across the state to Spokane, WA so I could see my sister Susan before bopping 1 ½ hours south back home to Moscow. So what’s my point? I know you’re waiting on pins and needles to hear what I’m thinking, so here it is…I have done some travelling in my 3+ decades and am amazed by the variety of scenery and landscape God has created for us to enjoy.

I’ve paddled a kayak in the midst of icebergs, watched waves crash against various beaches, seen mountains rise to meet the sky, travelled mile upon mile of farmlands growing everything from wheat to potatoes to canola (love the bright yellow flowers! It’s like pure happiness on the ground.), driven past fruit orchards and vineyards, dune-buggied through sand dunes, hiked forest trails, pulled up crab pots and shrimp pots in ocean waters, rafted whitewater and floated calm rivers, climbed rocks, witnessed the thrumming pounding of waterfalls, watched bald eagles dance in the sky, and been captivated by all of that, and can’t wait to witness so much more of the world I haven’t seen yet.

I am humbled by the beauty and attention to detail found in nature. Frost patterns on a winter window, spider webs, the veins in a leaf, clouds in the sky…EVERYTHING! I find it hard to believe that all of the beauty we are surrounded by, and ourselves included, is all one cosmic happenstance wherein all the stars aligned to create the world we live on today. Nope, not gonna buy it. If I ever question if my Father in Heaven loves me I just need to watch a sunset or sunrise, pick a dandelion (or a flower), or just anything in nature, and I’m reassured that someone who is mindful of all that is aware of me…as miniscule as I may feel in the world at that moment.