Dear Tom,
First forgive me for the delay in writing. I am actually in a place with limited wifi, the Carolina Mountains with Suzy and friends from DC. I know, “no crying for me Argentina,” first Santa Barbara and now the Carolina Mountains. First, the west coast ocean views and desert canyons, and now mile after mile of tree covered mountains and misty smoke in cool mornings. It’s been quite a ride. Next I head to the home of the Razorbacks, NW Arkansas. I’ll come down to earth soon.
I can’t help but be awed, amazed, and admire God’s creation everywhere I’ve been lately. It is so diverse yet each part beautiful in its own right. The people who had the visions to preserve our scenery beginning over a hundred years ago need our thankful praise, and remind me of our stewardship obligations to God’s creation for the next generation. How can we justify our short term wants (not needs) destroying the invaluable legacy left us by the visionaries in our past? But I am on a soap box not meditating.
I think God would say sometime it is enough to clear one’s mind, sit on a mountain top, in a grassy field, or on an ocean view porch and simply enjoy his work. Nothing needs to be said or done, just let God speak to us through our senses. The feel of a mountain breeze on our skin or sand beneath our toes, the smell of fresh wildflowers or purified air cleaned and scrubbed by a forest, the sounds of the ocean pounding against the shore or a wild bird calling in flight. Prayer takes many forms. but I believe one of the best ways to pray is to surround oneself with the wonders of his work and let God speak to you through his wonders.
Best my friend. Webb
Amen, Dear Friend. And while it may be a bit geocentric, that’s exactly why we call Oregon “God’s Country.”
Tom