We read about God, and are familiar with verses that tell us how He made the world. Does this mean He has time to notice the things we do? Is He compassionate, kind, orderly, forgiving, and a hundred other nice things? Oh yes, we know He is, but really, what is God like? We have never seen Him.
When we see a person who picks up things lying around inside and outside, and keeps his own room neat and clean, we think, He’s an orderly person. And he is. When we see one who stops to take time to carry something for someone, and is quick to see when there are dishes to wash or to bake a casserole for someone coming home from a trip, we think, She is a very kind person. You are right, she is. And when you see someone who is really good at crafts or inventions, you think, He has an inventive mind, so creative! What someone does tells us what kind of person he is.
Have you ever seen tiny bright red spiders or shiny metallic green bugs? The gleaming yellow goldfinches, the striking red cardinals, the Chestnut-sided Warbler with streaks of brown flashing on its sides—why did God make them so pretty?
I vividly remember the loveliness of a spring morning years ago. Out in the woods I spied a Blackburnian Warbler high on a tree branch. The morning sun lighted up his brilliant orange and black-streaked head…oh!
Another sunshiny spring morning, daughter Rhoda asked us to come see a bird at the hummingbird feeder. Now orioles are very rare in our area. We stood there, my husband and I, son Titus, and Rhoda, just admiring this gleaming precious moment. This was only ten days before Titus was called away from this earth. Three years later, Rhoda joined him in a paradise of much greater beauty. Is it any wonder this memory is so precious?
Today I walked through the Leafy Tunnel Isle, going to our son’s home. The splendor of autumn lined both sides, with the lane itself thickly carpeted with lovely leaves. Ada and her small children were harvesting their grapes. (Occasionally the tots helped!) The lane past their home glowed in layers of reds and oranges under an indigo blue autumn sky. Beautiful moments tell us that God loves beauty.
On April 8, 2024, our family witnessed a total solar eclipse right in the corner of our own backyard. I first remember this forthcoming event talked about back in 2017. Now imagine…to the very day, even to the very minute, this eclipse was precisely at God’s timing!
This spring we watched the sun arise, day by day, gradually creeping northward out from the side of the old, abandoned brick building that was formerly a border crossing station. This morning a beautiful sunrise appeared, now from the south side of this building. God’s very orderliness keeps His world together!
Does God have a sense of humor? Some years ago, I decided to purchase wildflowers that I couldn’t find in the wild, specifically Jack-in-the-pulpits and Virginia bluebells. These arrived in due time, and I bustled out to Hope Arbor, knowing almost exactly where I would plant my Jack-in-the-pulpits. Almost to the very spot, I stood amazed. Right at my feet, there already growing, were Jack-in-the-pulpits! I could almost fancy seeing a smile and twinkle in God’s eyes!
The produce season this year has been producing prolific yields: carrots, onions, beets, tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers. Wagon loads of pumpkins and squash came rolling in, heading for the produce dock to be prepared for shipping. A new fall crop of cauliflower is beginning. All this, even when spring had a serious lack of rain. Neighbor Enos discovered his squash under the row cover were either dead or dying. Undaunted, he got busy replanting, not with plants, but seeds. By faith, he harvested an abundant crop, reaping from the liberal generosity of his Father’s hands.
Seeing the things God does gives us a small idea of what God is like. He created great and majestic mountains, so we know He is all-powerful. Yet He gently uses great care in creating beautiful birds, flowers, and tiny bugs. We know He loves beauty because He creates things beautifully. We know He is dependable and orderly because His world, the seasons, the sun, moon, and stars, all operate with orderliness. We know He created clean and healthy humor, because sometimes we see it in His creation! We receive bountifully from His hand, and know that He is generous and very liberal in giving good gifts to the children of men.
What a mighty God we serve!