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God's Beauty Abounds

 

Hi Everyone,

Last week my friend Roger Deweerd sent an email to our small group.  He captured how God has been opening his eyes to see His beauty everywhere.  I asked Roger if I could share his post with the wider Emmanuel community, and he thought that was a great idea.  As summer comes closer to an end, I hope you will find ways to get outside and enjoy God's beauty that does abound in many fascinating ways.

Greetings Everyone:

Hard to believe that the end of August is upon us, the days are getting shorter and it is getting cooler. Where did the summer go? I just wanted to share with you something I have been doing during this summer of COVID-19. I have been doing lots of biking, mostly along the river, many times I will stop at a bench and spend an hour praying and enjoying God's beautiful creation. He has certainly blessed me with showing me His handiwork. The trees, flowers, grass, sky, clouds, river, but what I enjoy the most are the various birds and wildlife that I see, I find it makes me appreciate how great and amazing God is. I have been taking my camera along with me on my rides and I frequently stop to spend time watching God's creation, taking lots of pictures. During my times that I sit and meditate on a verse or piece of scripture or when I pray, I have seen God's craftsmanship in a variety of birds and animals. During one session I was blessed with watching a red fox bound over the grass into the ravine. 

Robin asked if I had any scripture for this and what comes to mind is Genesis 1, how God created the heavens and the earth and all that is in it. When I see all the beauty that God created, I am amazed, and drawn closer to God. The diversity of all the plants, the animals, birds and how they all live in balance and how God provides for them - Psalm 104:27 "These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time". I find it so peaceful to be in God's creation and enjoy His work. It makes me think of Psalm 104:24 "How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures".  

Currently I find myself drawn to watch a family of beavers, the family consists of 7 members, 3 kits born this spring, 2 teenagers born last spring and the parents. I spend a couple of hours just watching and photographing them. I sit close to the water and they seem to not mind my being there, they come and check me out, make sure I am not a predator. I have had them come out beside me (less than a meter away) to do something, or perhaps to satisfy their curiosity of who I am. In fact, sometimes I think they actually pose for the camera, or even ham it up a bit. I have included some photos that are some of my favorites of them and a few photos of a visiting family to the pond. Enjoy.

Lord thank you for Your wonderful creatures and your creation, you are a wonderful and incredible God, full of love and mercy towards us. I pray for each one in the group, be with them and their families during this time, protect, guide and bless them. Thank you Lord for all you have done, for all you will do and for all you are doing in each of our lives. Be with us over the coming weeks, help us to become more like you with our words and actions. In Christ our Lord Amen. 

Blessings all,

Roger

Thank you, Roger, for sharing with us.  The beaver is a fantastic example of God's handiwork.  Thanks for all of the pictures.

If you would like to write Roger an email, his address is rdeweerd33@gmail.com

Stay Safe, 

Robin

 

 

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