Discovering God through Nature (Together)
Welcome to this month’s newsletter… a short pause for fresh air.
Summers as a kid, when my family camped throughout the U.S., were when my love of nature began. At the National Park ranger talks, I learned the difference between being a “cherry-picker” and a “hairy-chested-patch-collector”. As we hiked, my parents would remind my brother and me to be “cherry-pickers”. That meant to halt-and-observe what was around us in nature’s captivating “classroom”.
That foundation from Mom and Dad carried into my own parenting. Our kids climbed mountains, experienced sunrise beach walks, and hiked local forest trails. Together we learned seashell names, marveled at marmots, prairie dogs, alligators, bison, bears, oh my! Years later, love-struck with nature, one child grew into a wildlife scientist, another a nature storyteller with a camera, and yet another a land steward with acres rich with diversity.
- Pack a simple picnic to a local preserve or garden.
- Hike in a state park-bring along binoculars and a bird guide.
- Plan a Sunrise walk on the beach with breakfast afterward.
- Nature Art—pack art supplies for nature sketching.
- Go foraging for berries and mushrooms.
- Collect field flowers together for pressed flower art.
Be Bold – Action Step
Experiencing nature with others is precious. If your routine to explore nature is generally done in solitude, next time consider inviting family or a special friend. A great opportunity awaits with Mother’s and Father’s Days tucked in these months. If finding someone free is difficult, remember you are never alone. Invite the King of Creation, our Heavenly Father, to walk with you on your next exploration!
Never Separated from God’s Love
By Cynthia Bolds (First published in Secret Place, Judson Press 2022)
I pounded on the metal elevator door and yelled as loudly as I could, “Help!” I put my ear against the door and listened. No one answered. I couldn’t open the door to the emergency phone. My cell phone signal couldn’t penetrate the elevator. Yep, I was really stuck. Frustrated, I sank to the floor. How long would it be before I was discovered? The feeling of separation weighed heavily on my mind.
There is one kind of separation that we needn’t ever be worried about, and that is separation from the love of God. Even in the elevator, I wasn’t truly alone. Paul writes that God’s love for us can never be taken away. A thief can’t steal it. Sin won’t diminish it. Even though our guilt may be so enormous that we feel we can’t face the Holy One, God still loves us. Satan may try to make us think that God’s love is gone, but Satan has no control over divine love. God’s love can’t ever be taken away.
Nearly half an hour passed in the elevator before I was found. What a comfort it is to know that we are never separated from God’s love for even a second.
For I am convinced that either death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all of creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Romans 8: 38-39
Speaking: Worship Nature Journal Retreat
I am currently exploring speaking opportunities for this year, focused on Serenity: Discovering God Nature Journaling. One possibility I’m considering is partnering with a ladies’ retreat at a camp in Door County, Wisconsin, where this workshop would teach a meaningful blend of worship, reflection, and creation‑based nature journaling.
If you would like details when signups are available, please contact me. And as always, I am available to speak at your venue too!
Seeking More Ways to Find God in Nature?
You got your mom an orchid for Mother’s Day? They can be a tricky plant to care for…
Mother’s Day is a week away! Do you need a fresh idea for a gift? Is your mom a nature lover? …
Check out these beautiful Morel mushrooms just picked today in the Ottawa Illinois area…
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