It is spring and the first tulip magnolia blossoms emerge in an infinite spectrum of mauve. Daffodils and azaleas are eager to bloom…
“All that he does is splendid and majestic; his righteousness endures forever.” Psalm 111:3
Look around. The world is full of the Lord’s beautiful creations. It is spring and the first tulip magnolia blossoms emerge in an infinite spectrum of mauve. They are striking against bare, brown branches that will soon be covered in lush green leaves. With spring comes hope, and a reminder that the Lord‘s timing is perfect.
Perhaps it is through the eyes of my child that I see better now, as compared to any time in my life before motherhood, the beauty and incredible detail of the Lord’s splendid creation.
Dr. John Adam of Old Dominion University wrote a book, entitled, “Mathematics In Nature” and so for nearly 20 years since its publication in late 2006, I’ve had a deep appreciation for patterns in nature. I’m reminded of Dr. Adam every spring when the holly ferns in my backyard begin to unfurl their new fronds from tightly coiled fiddle-heads. And don’t get me started on the beauty of fractals in trees or yummy romanesco broccoli. Still, it wasn’t until my greatest teacher entered the world in 2016 that I truly saw the beauty of a leaf, a snail, and a segmented earthworm squirming in the soil.
“All that he does is splendid and majestic“ truly resonates with me because the world is full of magic. If you slow down and allow yourself to appreciate the tiniest details that surround you every day, it is entirely possible to drown out any noise of hate, sadness, and suffering. Love prevails in these details because they are a reminder of God‘s love for us.
“His righteousness endures forever” suggests God values character, truth, and, I like to think, those who are grateful, and count their blessings. So count them! Live in gratitude, make good choices, praise God for the beauty that surrounds us by making time, everyday, to notice the exquisite details of His majestic creation.
(a reflection on scripture for FAUMC; photograph from Spring 2021, taken by Elizabeth Henson, amongst blooming azaleas)