Genesis 1:25 – And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good. (KJV)

My dad showed me his favourite place along the coastal logging road. Tiger lilies banked the roadway, waving their brilliant orange petals with contrasting black spots. Stands of redwood and fir trees canopied everything else. He pointed across the road where the river otters frolicked and played in the creek, where the raccoons chased an abundance of minnows and eels, and where fresh water clams shared the area with them. Black-tail deer flicked their tails as they watched, curiously. Cows grazed on the nearby timbered pastureland. Words weren't needed. We just enjoyed.

Dad's legacy to his children came through his love of nature. He hunted, fished, and observed. He brought home ferns. He planted gardens and built the birdhouses that lined the garden boundary. Frequenting his small apple orchard were birds and deer — eating all reachable apples! He enjoyed sharing the bounty of his labours, as well as his favourite locations, with family, friends, and neighbours.

I wonder if our Father in heaven continues to enjoy His creation as He did in the beginning. Let us take time out to go on an outing and enjoy the outdoor creation. Meditate in the forest. Shriek with joy when rafting rapids. Fish the streams, smell the pines, or sit in a lawn chair and smell the redwood forest as the coastal fragrance moves in with the fog. Taste unsweetened huckleberries fresh off the vine, and take time to think about this lovely creation made by our glorious God.

Prayer: Dear Lord, You see goodness in Your wildlife creation, and we see it as beautiful, good, and even entertaining. But even greater, we see You, our Creator. May we take time to slow down and fellowship with You, through the natural beauty that You have placed around us. Amen.

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About the author:

Karen Milam <karenbmilam@gmail.com>
Penn Valley, California, USA
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