When I chose my word for 2020, I was unaware of the significant role it would have in the emotional, spiritual, and physical wellbeing of me and the rest of the world. Beauty; the beauty of God revealed through nature is saving the serenity of so many of us.
More than ever before the beauty of the Lord is my balm in this world. So much has happened and not happened in 2020. But the beauty of creation—of our Creator—has consistently showed up in each season. While the world struggled with COVID 19, nature continued to nurture our minds, bodies, and souls.
I had no idea how important the beauty of creation would factor in my life and in the lives of so many people in 2020. While we were called to physically distance ourselves from anyone outside of our tiny bubbles, we were encouraged to embrace the outdoors.
All these nature-loving activities everyone is partaking of are sowing seeds. For the art of God—nature—is constantly pointing to its Maker.
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
Romans 1:20 NIV
I’m wondering if beauty is going to birth a revival. There’s absolutely been a revival in the world’s interest and participation in outdoor recreation.
Beauty has held my heart and hand while my usual activities have been pruned away. While I may not be able to take my grandson to his music classes this year, I took him to nature parks where we watched crabs scuttle across the sand, fawns follow their mother across the grass, and geese honk in formation across the sky.
Beauty boasts a Builder. While my grandson asks a lot of why questions about nature, I’m praying he eventually asks a bunch of who questions. Who made the sun? Who made the ocean? Who sprinkled sand on the seaside? Who made me?
I’m also hoping many more people across this planet ask who, what, where, when, and why questions regarding the beauty all around us. Are you also hoping this happens?
Let’s pray together: Father God, our Marvelous Maker, please open the eyes, hearts, and minds of people as they walk, run, hike, ride, boat, drive, paddle, and pedal etc. across Your beautiful world. Help them hunger to know You, seek You, and love You. You alone are able to satisfy our souls. Thank you and praise you for all the beauty around us. You are beautiful, dear God. So beautiful. In Jesus name, amen.
I’m nosy-to-know what your most beautiful nature experience in the outdoors has been this year?
Beautiful blessings ~ Wendy Mac
What wonderful memories you also made with your grandson during this time! I'm grateful for the many experiences outside I've had this year, including walking a friend's prairie acreage to hiking in the Rocky Mountains.
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Lynn. How wonderful to be able to walk on your friend's prairie property and hike in the Rocky Mountains; beauty abounds on both.
DeleteBlessings ~ Wendy Mac
How true that 'beauty abounds"! I, too have had many outdoor ventures this year, and am invigorated and refreshed by the beauty of God's creation.
ReplyDeleteDear Sandi, it's a joy to hear others are also venturing outside and appreciating nature during this odd season. Enjoy.
DeleteBlessings ~ Wendy Mac
'Beauty - ful' !
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Tracy. :)
DeleteBlessings ~ Wendy Mac
Great post, Wendy. I hope people get past the "wow!" and start thinking about who made this world. Science alone proves that our universe has too many coincidences to have occured by accident.
ReplyDeleteMy best nature experience happened two months ago. I stood in my yard and soaked up the sun while tuning my radio around the shortwave bands. What a pleasure to catch the final 22-degree day of summer and have no mosquitos biting me. I spent an hour goofing off from writing but thoroughly enjoying the dregs of summer. Even the scent of the mown field behind my house and the occasional wiff of fallen leaves was pure enjoyment to me. Neither did any magpie ruin my delight in that golden afternoon. I felt like The Beach Boys' song, "The Warmth of the Sun." That afternoon still lingers in my mind.
Thank you, Bruce, for your delicious "dregs of summer" reflection. To have a garden and the ability to get out in it are two wonderful gifts we can thank our Creator God for. I thoroughly enjoyed your comment.
DeleteBlessings ~ Wendy Mac
I thank you for the beauty and love you have shown in you writing, in your photography, in your spending time with your grandson, and in your prayer. To this prayer, I say thank you, and Amen and Amen.
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Sharon. Blessings as you continue to shine the beauty of God's love in the lives of those around you.
DeleteHugs ~ Wendy Mac