Faith Words: Some place cool and green and ... magnificent!

We just returned from a trip to visit three canyon areas of the American Southwest.  Each was breathtaking in its own particular way.  Looking at each, whether from the canyon's edge or the canyon's floor, we were awestruck at the immensity, variety and beauty of the scenes that stretched out before us.  We speculated at how each was created. We heard what geologists said, but I have trouble with the number of years they claim are involved.  So rather than try to attach an age to the formations, I just marveled at what God had done.

Somewhere, at some time, in some way, God caused each hoodoo, each peak, each perilously perched rock to be and look just a certain way.  Over the years, natural forces have indeed played a part in what we see there today but God laid out the ground rules and set it all into motion.  The overall effect of seeing these canyons is awe and for so many people to be visiting them, the reaction is pretty much the same:  "Look!" followed by a gasp and silence.

While there's no escaping the wonder around you while you're in these canyon, it's surprisingly easy to overlook it when that same creativity is working wonders all around you everyday - just on a different scale.

For me, the main difference is that in the canyonlands, I took the time to see the wonders wrought by God.  I rose early in the morning to see the sun rise.  I hurried to the best spot I could find to see the stars light up the night sky.  I tried to see each rock formation from its best vantage point.  But at home, I tend to get busy and fly through each day and don't take much notice.  It's hard to appreciate the details of things seen in a blur.

Our year is moving quickly into fall.  The summer we looked forward to is disappearing into the winter we anticipate. Some of you, like me, have little ones in your family who were born just this year.  Some of you, like me, planted gardens just a short time ago.  What have you noticed? What have you seen?  A newborn seems suddenly to be able to sit up and eat solid foods, turning over, ready to crawl.  The seeds sown in the garden are far more than tender sprouts.  Now they bear blooms that will shortly be harvested.  Where does the time go?

We can't stop the clock but we can pause once in a while and take notice of God's marvelous wonders everywhere. Today, take time to see something from God and say "Look!" followed by a gasp and silence.  Then, praise your Father in Heaven for all He has done.

Praising God with you,

Patrice

Psalm 34:3 (NIV)

Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together.