Don't we all need more quiet times to be still and listen to our heavenly Father when we pray?

One recent morning, before breakfast, I crawled out of bed and went straight into my yard to tackle a task left unfinished. It was not long before streams of light began to come from the heavens, and there was a coolness in the air with a slight breeze — so refreshing!

As I pushed my shovel into the earth and uncovered the worms, I tried not to cut into any of them, because they are so useful in the soil. Also, I was thinking that it was too bad that, with the plentiful supply of earthworms for bait, there was nobody around who wanted to go fishing. I used to take my two young sons many years ago. These days, I long for such quiet times of simple pleasure.

For me, there is nothing like being alone with God that early in the morning. It was so still and quiet; it felt like there was only God, the earthworms, and me. I talked to Him the whole time I was working, thanking Him that I am still able to work, that I have a nice yard in which to work, and that He has created all of nature for His children to enjoy and tend. My soul was calmed as I listened to that still small voice within.

My alone time working in the yard this morning reminded me of those long ago days. It is good sometimes to get aside from everything and to talk to God. As the Scripture says, "Be still and know that I am God." He is much more evident in the stillness and the quiet times. We all need more quiet times these days.

I wish I could go fishing again!

Prayer: Dear gracious and loving Father, thank You that You are with us no matter where we are. Help us to be still before You, and to allow You to minister to us in your wisdom. Help us to know that it is not by our strength that we live but by Your every word. Thank You for loving us, for saving us, and for being all-sufficient for our every need. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

I have long been a student of nature and creation. I always enjoy the vastness of space with its innumerable stars flung in the heavens for us to watch. I love to observe the smallest creatures that live just beneath the soil — the "creepy-crawlies", as I call them. I love to count the rings found in a slice of tree trunk, showing how many years it has stood before it was cut down. As a child, I used to lie on the ground on a warm summer day and watch ants at work. It amazes me that they "follow the leader" and that they, being so tiny, can still carry an object much larger than themselves. Then I think of giant mountains and the majestic seas. Such a contrast there is in nature!

Marvels are all around us, if we will but look for them. One of the grandest, of course, is the human being, who is wonderfully made by God in His own likeness.

However, the very grandest marvel of all, I believe, is knowing The One to thank. It brings us to the realization, once again, that He loves us because He brought us into being. We are each as a speck of sand in the vastness of His creation, but He loves us. God, the master of the whole universe, the creator of all things, loves us!

Prayer: Father, God, we rejoice that we are a part of Your creative plan. Help us to be aware of Your divine presence throughout creation, and guide us as we seek our part in it. Thank You for allowing us glimpses into Your creation, and, most of all, thank You for Jesus, in whom we live and move and have our being. Amen.