Job 12:7-10
But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you;
Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you.
Which of these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?
In his hand is the life of every creature, and the breadth of all mankind.
I have an orb weaving spider living in the driver’s side mirror of my car. She has persistently been there for two weeks. At times, she’s nestled back in the shade of the mirror. Other times, she’s fully webbed to the mirror and door handle. I find her fascinating. Of all places she could have chosen to live in our yard, she chose my car door! I haven’t the heart to move her. Her web is miraculously strong, and at times I’ve seen her riding in it while I travel around town at speeds up to 50 mph. She never “flies off the handle”, so to speak. To me, her life is a miracle.
In all of the craziness and cruelty of our world, splayed all over our newsfeeds and televisions, we all would do well to spend some time each day in nature to counterbalance the inundation. Just sit outside at dusk this time of year, and you’re treated to the most jubilant chorus of crickets, katydids and cicadas! Who needs Pandora when you’ve got that??
Years ago, when I truly doubted the very existence of God, the miracle of nature brought me back. To me, the intricacy and rhythm of our natural world is more than just chance. I believe there has to be a Creative Giver behind it! What a gift our earth is to all of us!
This past Sunday we enjoyed our Blessing of the Animals service. It’s always fun to meet the pets of fellow parishioners and friends. Our pets are also truly a gift from God! Thank you Lord, for the beauty of nature, for our pets who bring such joy to our lives, and for the miracle of the seasons and all creatures we encounter – even orb spiders!
Blessings,
Diana
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