Taking Time to Bask in God’s Creation

I caught this guy basking in the sun on the deck outside my window.

It’s been a gloomy past few days here. We have really needed the rain, but followed by the much needed rain, were a couple of days of gray and gloomy skies. This southern girl can testify that I would not do well in the states of Washington of Oregon. I simply require more sunshine to be happy. I guess God planted me here for a reason.

As I was taking my walk this morning, I didn’t even mind the humidity that accompanied the sunshine, I was greeted by birds and butterflies and a deer, also enjoying the morning. A little bluebird landed very near me as I was thanking God for this gorgeous summer day.

Our summer break is rapidly winding down here and school starts back in two short weeks. My kids and their friends are already feeling the stress as it inevitably comes up in their conversations with each other. The parents are no different as we ask one another about different teachers and classes. The schools continue to guard the kids’ schedules with the zeal of Fort Knox, further heightening the discomfort.

We are in a bit of a limbo, not wanting summer to end, but knowing a new school year is upon us. We must go out and buy school supplies, which my kids dread at this point and honestly, so do I. I love the freedom of summer and I worry about a new year at school as much as they do. I feel their stress.

But, as I was walking this morning and enjoying this gorgeous day, I could almost feel God whispering to me. “I’ve got this.” Of course He does and worrying does not come from Him. I know this deep in my bones, but I often forget. When I do, and I pray about it, He always gently shows me in His way.

Today, it came in the form of this squirrel sunning on my deck. He was stretched completely out, without a care in the world, basking in the sunshine. I called my son in to take a look. He loves that kind of thing. God spoke to me through him too.

I called into the den, where he was watching television, “Hey, when you get a minute, come in here; I have something to show you.”

He came in, armed with his iPhone and replied, “I always have a minute.” He was delighted and snapped a photo. Then he called me back to the window.

That little squirrel turned around and was sunning his back!

The little squirrel had turned around and was sunning his back, truly enjoying the sunshine. My son’s words along with this little squirrel really hit home with me.

First of all, God always has a minute for us. He is always there for any prayers we have, no matter how inconsequential they may seem. If something concerns us, we should take it to Him.

Secondly, we should take some cues from nature and rejoice in the day before us. Bask in creation and stop worrying so much. Let this squirrel be a reminder!

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂