Psalm 147 | Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7 | Psalm 147

Anyone who knows me knows that I am truly an outdoor, adventurous person… I love God’s creations. I have climbed mountains; sailed the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific; Dipped my toes in the Indian Ocean and the Sea of Galilee; I’ve walked with lions in South Africa and been to the most southern tip of Australia to walk with the penguins and kangaroos. I’ve sailed through the air more than once and taught the faces of God’s children – young and old. I’ve lived on or near the water I love, most of my life. I have great love for God’s flowing rivers, fall colors, spring flowers, gorgeous sunsets, early sunrises, the warmth of the sun, bubbling steams, children of all ages, stars of the night and magnificent animals.

There are numerous quotes from today’s readings that jumped out at me as I read them:

“For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up “

“He covers the heavens with clouds 
and prepares rain for the earth;                                                                                                                                  
He makes grass to grow upon the mountains 
and green plants to serve mankind.”

“He gives snow like wool; 
he scatters hoarfrost like ashes.                                                                                                                                
He scatters his hail like bread crumbs; 
who can stand against his cold?”

I have sought out God’s beautiful creations since I was a very young child.  When I am happy and rejoicing; when I am pondering thoughts of past, present and future; when sad or lonely; when I am adventurous and a bit of a “daredevil”; when looking at the beauty of a young grandchild’s face; when holding the hand of an elderly, dementia patient; seeing snow on tree limbs; during quiet walks in the woods or better yet…. along the ocean’s shoreline. Everywhere I look I see God’s unbelievable creations.  What beautiful gifts He has given to us, His children. No matter our age, where we are located, what troubles or joys we have… God is everywhere around us and always within us.

And as John begins his Gospel reading today:

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.”

We are so blessed!

Doreen C. Putnam

Currently living near Pittsburgh, PA, but my heart and soul are always with St. Luke’s