06/17/2017
This is a beautiful piece written by my beautiful sister-in-law, April Hail. I don't think I could possibly express the wonder and evidence of God and His love any better than this. I hope it blesses you all as much as it did me. Thank you, April!
There’s something I love about being in the dense trees of the forest. Maybe it’s how they stand so straight and
tall…pointing to the blue sky above. It’s as if they are pointing to their creator in Heaven…thanking the God of
the universe for their majestic beauty. Their trunks are so straight and strong and yet so fluid as to sway in the
slightest of breezes. Able to withstand the mightiest gust as the invisible wind plays chords that imitate the
flowing creek. The quietness…the stillness…the peacefulness gives forth to a moment of refreshing breezes
that flow through the pine needles like the bristles of a brush through hair. The way the sun peeks through the
trunks and needles and the depth of the shadows it creates on the floor below. The birds of all types singing
their melodies..communicating to each other. What is it that they are so desperate to convey? No matter…it’s a
sweet song of peace in my ears. Wait…did you see that? A cute squirrel scrimmaging for something to eat. So
furry and little. Up and down the trees chasing each other as they play in the ultimate playground. And every
once in a while you get the honor of the graceful deer bestowing their presence. There seems to be a
humbleness in its poise. I can hardly handle the awe I feel at the glimpse of this creature. Do you here that?…
the trickle of the mountain snow melt winding its way in the creek bed. At times its so slow you can see to the
bottom…the gorgeous rocks created ever so slowly in the churning of the waters. Other times it rushes so
quickly…like it has somewhere it needs to be right away. The notes of the orchestra creating a symphony of
peace and tranquility. It seems too me such a dichotomy as it rushes to make such sweet serenity.
Whenever I get to spend time out in nature I can’t help but stand in awe of God’s creation. How could anyone
deny Him? How can it seem so obvious to me and yet so foreign to so many. How can someone stop…still
their heart…look around and not see God? How could a big chemical reaction in the sky create such heartstopping
beauty and diversity? But I think that’s part of the problem…people don’t stop long enough to really
take it all in. We just take it all for granted…the depth of the waters so vast and filled with marine life…the
height of the mountains home to innumerous wildlife that find their survival in their surroundings and each
other…the plentiful meadows and fields that provide an abundance of harvest. What about those everyday
things we so often look past: the homes we have whether a small apartment or the biggest of mansions…the
clean water we refuse to drink because it doesn’t taste good or waste because we don't even realize its
value…electricity that flows freely all around us that we don’t give a second thought to. Or even less obvious:
the sun that shines to give us vital nutrients and grow the food we eat…the air we breathe to survive…our
loved ones hand who were hand picked just for us…our very lives…created from some gases colliding? I just
cannot believe it.
So, I go back to the beauty of God’s trees and what they represent. To me there is a freedom in the forest…in
camping where I commune with God’s designs. It’s my ultimate refresh. It’s where I can tap into God on His
level by surrounding myself with Him. Every tree, bush, mountain, stream, rock, lake, breeze reminds me of
His promises found throughout the Bible including in Jeremiah 29:11-14:
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to
give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You
will seek me and find me when you seek me with all you heart. I will be found by you…’”
Today I am finding God and allowing His goodness to sink into my heart to refresh my tired soul. I am still only
human and will continue to make mistakes and run myself ragged with things of this world. But I know that God
will always help me find my right path to him through His greatest commands of loving God above all and then
loving others as I love myself. I feel lucky…aka fully blessed…to be able to say that I have found what I need
to get my head back on straight and refill my cup…His abundant and glorious creation. I just can’t deny it! He is
so good!!!
Father God, thank you for your goodness and faithfulness. Thank you for helping me to see my need and a
way to bring myself back to your fulness. Help me to always be aware of how close I am to falling apart. Help
me to be always seeking you and finding the time and energy to be still and allowing you to speak your truth to
my heart. I pray you would also help me to help others in this way because it is so freeing to sink into your
incredible creation to find you. Thank you for this time with you…help me to remember that you are my
shepherd that leads me to peace (Psalm 23:1-6). You are such a mighty God and yet so loving and merciful
and forgiving. Thank you for sharing your nature with me and allowing me to see you all around. I love you and
praise you…amen.
