Farmville Enterprise August 30, 2017
Are you a person who takes particular notice of the fine details of plants and trees or insects? Are some of your most relaxing times when you are walking in the woods or by a stream? Some people are extremely tuned in regarding the unique characteristics of natural objects. I can’t claim to be one of them, although I certainly appreciate a beautiful sunset or a magnificent view. My husband and I were fortunate enough to visit two national parks out west at the beginning of the month and then to be joined by our children to visit three more. The sweeping panoramic views at the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Bryce and Zion are spectacular enough to make an impact on even the most marginal nature lover. Walking among the gigantic trees on trails at Sequoia National Park on a cool day with sparse crowds has got to be one of the nicest experiences ever.
We returned to Farmville on a Sunday after having read or seen very little news for two weeks and just in time for what seemed like a nationwide surge of enthusiasm caused by the solar eclipse occurring the next day. Reports said that the special viewing glasses were sold out. It looked like we would not be catching a glimpse of the partial solar eclipse unless we attended one of the many gatherings to watch it. We definitely were not going to travel to a place in the path of totality to see the sun and its corona completely covered by the moon.
Monday afternoon a sweet friend stopped by to drop off something. She is one of my nature loving friends. At our church’s Wednesday morning prayer times she is quick to thank God for the chirping birds or the lovely flowers or the much-needed rain. It just so happened that she thought to bring a pair of solar eclipse glasses in case we had not gotten to look up into the sky.
It was a special treat to have someone share with us and to join people across the country as so many paused to lift their eyes for this rare occurrence. Wouldn’t be nice if we could be drawn together more by a focus on positive things, like the amazing gifts of God’s creation?
“Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.” (Psalm 36:5-9)
celiastone 