Nature’s Reminders of God
Nature’s Beauty
My friend Karen and I went to a Christmas boutique Saturday. So many beautiful handmade gifts. Jewelry, quilting, aprons, tote bags, soaps and lotions, paintings, and floral arrangements, to name a few.
I drove her back to her house in our golf cart. It is such fun to roam around in that little open vehicle. Karen got out of the cart and said, “Get out and look at the clouds, Carol.”
The heavens are telling the glory of God
The sky was amazing – cirrus clouds stretched out by the hand-painting of God. Wispy, traveling across the sky.
Another Reminder
Last Sunday, after our friend Bob was called home to heaven, I went back to the board and care home where we had said goodbye to him that morning.
In the afternoon sunlight, I saw the sign of a fish in the light and shadows on the sidewalk leading to the house.
In early Christianity, when believers were being persecuted for their faith, Christians identified themselves to each other by use of an “icthus”, or fish. The letters in “icthus” spell out “Jesus Christ God’s Son, Savior.”
If a person thought the other might be a Christ-follower, he would draw a half fish in the sand. If the other person was a believer, he would add the second half of the fish. If not, it just looked like the first person had doodled in the sand. The fish was a secret sign to identify themselves to each other. https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/the-christian-fish-symbol-origin-and-history-facts.html
I love how God sometimes gives us symbols of hope to remind us of His presence.
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies. Psalm 57:10 NIV
I’m grieving today. Not only have Don and I lost a dear friend. Sunday we also learned that our beloved pastor has entered hospice following a battle against brain cancer. But I will continue to look for signs of God’s presence and care, not only in nature, but in scripture and in prayer.
So we praise Him. Not because life is easy, but because He is good. And because Isaiah 55:12 tells us that God’s ways are higher–beyond our imaginings–than ours, and that He will accomplish His purposes.
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him. Lamentations 3:22-24 NIV
Carol, thank you for these wonderful reminders of God’s love and love we have for each other, that we can laugh and cry together through the good and sad times. Also thank you for a reminder of what a perfect artist our loving Father is.
Pamela, thankyou for your comment. It means a lot to me. Yes, precious that in good times and sad, we can share together, both with our God and wish each other. And His paintbrush is amazing!
What a special post, Carol.i’m inspired by every word and illustration.
Thanks, Karen. I’m encouraged by your words.
God is everywhere! I love clouds and that fish is pretty remarkable. Thanks for sharing those glimpses of God’s glory!
I appreciate your comment, Laura. That fish was really a wonderful surprise!