You shall walk after the LORD your God and fear him, and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and cleave to him. (Deuteronomy 13:4)
I do so appreciate God’s creation, and the chance to walk in it. Because of my spinal stenosis, I consider walking a gift. After three spinal fusions, even the doctor thinks my walking is a miracle. Many of us avoid walking as much as possible – take the car, find the closest parking spot. Walking is a joyfully eucharistic experience for me. Quite literally, I can’t do it enough.
For you have snatched me from death,
kept my feet from stumbling,
That I may walk before God
in the light of the living.
(Psalm 56:14)
These days I stick to the level paths. Neuropathy from the stenosis and surgeries makes all walking an adventure. It limits where I can go, but I still can enjoy the unexpected in creation. The above two photos are actually reflections in pond water. Scenes reflected in water are, to me, artistry of a mystical kind. The artist is God, reflecting on creation and maybe enjoying His creation as much as I do His natural art.
In the tangle of branches, relieved of their leaves, a female cardinal is hidden, as is the God who created them all. Sometimes we get glimpses of those mysteries normally hidden from our eyes. If we cultivate the eyes of our heart, we sense the world in a totally different way.
Also hidden is an old wooden fence – once it set a boundary, but long since has been abandoned. Nature reclaims its territory. Both sides of the fence are now the same as they were before it was constructed. We spend a great deal of time and energy in our lifetime to set up fences some made of wood, or even barbed wire, but others are social and many are psychological. They too will pass away when the earth reclaims us. Maybe that tells us we put way too much energy building things that will quickly pass away, and will be of no value to us or others in this world or the world to come. The field is naturally full of lessons for life.
It has been a fairly mild and warm autumn for us so far this year. Many people commented that they thought it also was not a colorful fall season. The earth tone hues were there, but the vibrant colors of the leaves were missing. In any case autumn is a season of colors passing away. It is a reminder that life itself is fragile and fleeting.
I saw this goose stretching its wings. Perhaps, evolution in process as it already has its bipedal stance. Or maybe the goose was conjuring up an orchestra to sing praise to the Creator. Or, like me, just enjoying the day, taking a walk.
One evening, I observed the sun, partially hidden behind some clouds with leafless trees in front of them. It really did look to me like Japanese art. Simple and natural. Perhaps missing the crowned crane. Nature can transport the perceptive viewer to anywhere in the world. God gives the sun and the rain equally to all.
Life moves on, and if we are able we keep walking. Autumn and evening are harbingers for those who are aware of their age. But, neither represents the end, but only a temporary, but necessary stage leading to new life. There is a beauty in them which is both fading, and calling to mind the unfading Light of Christ.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)
Fraternized 