A welcoming walkabout

     

     I just returned from a 30 minute walk around the perimeter of my complex. What a gorgeous day! The sun pleasantly warm, the sky clear, with a few cumulus clouds floating about, the air fresh and invigorating! 

     Our first day for some time, free of the heavy, smoke-filled low-lying clouds that just would not go away. Traces of smoke still hang over the nearby mountains. Thankfully, the brief rain and soft winds have helped immensely. 

     For some time I have neglected following my walking routine. I’m aware it would benefit my body, so I will begin engaging my trusty walking poles that have been patiently waiting in the closet. 

     

     Breathing the fresh air once more as I enjoyed the beauties of God’s world, a song came to mind that Louis Armstrong helped to make famous. 

“I see trees of green, red roses too, 
I see them bloom for me and you, 
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world. 
I see skies of blue and clouds of white, 
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night, 
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world.” 

     Have you ever been overwhelmed by the splendour of God’s creation, that you just couldn’t help but worship God? 

     

     I wonder how many folk felt that way as they looked in awe at the recent spectacle — our moon’s eclipse.

     Such wonders, give us a glimpse of God’s awesomeness, His mighty power and the beauty of His creation. 

     I hope it pointed many to the One who is the author of such beauty. 

     Perhaps it did, as I heard many were overcome with emotion, as they burst into tears at the glory of what they were viewing. 

     We read in Romans 1:20, “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 men are without excuse.” 

     Once again, I think to myself, “Not only do I live in a wonderful world, but also a beautiful part of the world.” 

     Many atrocious disasters are happening all across our world — it seems another one, almost daily. Could God be trying to get our attention? And should we be surprised? 

     Spoken by the prophet, Joel: In the last days, God says, ... "I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.”  

     Are we not already seeing such signs?  But there’s more… "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Acts 2:19-21). Praise God!  

     

     Meanwhile, I think we have been placed where we are for a reason.

     Our ladies’ Bible study, held each week at my home, reminded us yesterday the great need for letting His light shine out from our lives, moment by moment. 

     Perhaps we can help bring a calm and peace to those who get stressed about the chaos in our still wonderful world. 

     I like this short story about one of my favourite authors.

"One night when Robert Louis Stevenson was a small boy, his nanny called him to come to bed. 
Oblivious to her summons, he was staring at something outside his nursery window. 
The nanny walked over, stood at his shoulder, and inquired patiently, 'Robert, what are you looking at?' 
The little boy, without taking his eyes away from the window, exclaimed in wonder as he pointed to the lamplighter who was lighting the street lamps, 'Look, Nanny! That man is putting holes in the darkness!'" 

     

May each of us keep busy putting holes in the darkness.

— beulah