From My Nature Journal: One Good Thing Leads to Another...

My grandbuddy, Wyatt...

Have you noticed? When a child discovers something that really catches their curiosity or wonder, they often look to their parent -- not as if to say, “What IS this?” -- but rather, “Wha…? LOOK at that! Do you see it, too?”

I often found this the case with my kids, nieces and nephews when they were young, and find it now with my grandchildren, grandnieces and nephews now that I am older, especially when we are outdoors. “Look, Grandpa,” one might say, “isn’t it beautiful?” And it might just be nothing but a nondescript moth, small toad or faded daisy. If it’s animate, however, and if it’s my grandson Wyatt we’re talking about, I can almost wager that he’ll follow this with, “He likes me! Can I take him home?” It makes me smile to think of this. He has even done it with earthworms, though I’m not sure what the signs of earthworm affection are that he seems to recognize so quickly… That doesn’t matter, though. For Wyatt and other curious children, the natural next inclination of discovery is often to share what has been experienced. For them, one good thing leads to another.

Again, the natural next inclination of discovery is to share what has been experienced.

It’s why I do this blog, of course, the enjoyment of sharing things I observe with others. None of it is rocket science; heck, it’s often not even good biological science, but there’s joy in the sharing just the same, as well as in the anticipation that another might find similar delight. I have no idea how many people are reading this blog, don’t trust at all the

accuracy of its tally feature. What I DO trust are the comments I hear from others, either personally or electronically, comments that tell me that something is connecting, that there’s something powerful at work out there, that others also find creation’s beauty, mystery and wonder a natural pathway to God. Sharing a discovery seems not so much to validate it, though there’s some of that, as to confirm its value in the heart of the observer, and to share something through which another may find similar value. So for me, as with young children, the next inclination of discovery or delight is to share what has been experienced.

The fourth chapter of the Gospel of John has a remarkable story about a seemingly outcast woman whom Jesus meets at a public well, a story that is one

of my favorites. The area is temporarily deserted, and it gives the woman and Jesus the chance to have the conversation of a lifetime. I won’t go into the details of the story or conversation, because it is an extremely enjoyable read for you to peruse yourself (John 4:1-42). But what almost stuns me is the eagerness by which this woman, perhaps shunned by so many respectable people for so long, takes a momentary break from the conversation with Jesus to hurry back to her town, Sychar, to share her discovery with her townsfolk and bring them back with her to meet this amazing man. Somehow, in spite of what she may have had going against her, even with all the rejection she had likely known, her first inclination was to share.

William Barclay says in commentary about this passage that no discovery is complete until the desire to share it fills our hearts. Do you agree with that? It seems to me that far too many seek to keep their discoveries to themselves, especially if there is gain of any kind in play. Maybe Barclay is just talking like an extrovert, a camp in which I find myself, though I’ve no idea if he was an extrovert or not.

Do you share your faith? I’m not talking the ‘four spiritual laws’ kind of sharing, though those laws are pretty darn good, and quite accurate. But, keeping it simple, like my grandson Wyatt  -- has your discovery so filled you that it cannot help but ooze out somehow in one way, shape or form? That would truly be one good thing leading to another.

No judgment. Just sayin’…

~~RGM, January 14, 2016

Blowin' in the Wind: Prayer for a New Day and a New Year

("Blowin’ in the Wind" is a regular feature on my blog consisting of an assortment of nature writings – hymns, songs, excerpts, prayers, Bible readings, poems or other things – pieces I may not have written but that inspire me or give me joy. I trust they’ll do the same for you.)

I ran across this lovely Celtic prayer several weeks ago, and thought it’d be a good New Year post. As you can see, it is framed as a morning prayer, but it could also stretch easily to fit a New Year theme.

Celtic spirituality focuses on several motifs, among them nature, journey and blessing. This prayer covers all three of these. With an apology for my inability to find its source, I yet commend it to you for the start of any new day.

A Celtic Morning Prayer

As the tide draws the water close in upon the shore,

These last hours You have made me an island, set apart,

Alone with You, God, holy to You.

Now with the turning of the tide,

Prepare me to carry Your presence to the busy world,

The world that rushes beyond You and upon me,

Until the waters come again and fold me back to You.

So often I hold too tightly to my belief.

May I plant faith patiently, calmly and untiringly

In the good ground of hungry hearts.

Blessed New Year!

~~ RGM, January 1, 2016

POTM...*: Camo'd

(*Photo[s] of the Month)

I am not certain if these are all the same species of spider or not, but I think they are -- they’re some kind of crab spider. (Click on any photo to see it enlarged.) Intriguing little guys, we find them all over the northwoods; in fact, we also often find them all over our four-wheeler after we have quadded through old trails overgrown with long grasses and wildflowers!

Note their uncanny ability to adjust their color to their surroundings. There’s a yellow one on a Black-Eyed Susan, a

purple one on a Violet, and one on a Milkweed blossom that has even adjusted itself to pick up two colors, both the blossom’s whites and its pinks. Amazing… Looks like they do whatever it takes to get the job done more effectively. Once again, I’d love to hear from my entomologist friends about these fine critters, their habits, and the varieties of colors into which they can alter themselves.

Camouflage is an interesting subject to be written on some

time. But today, with these photos of the month, I am simply thinking about one positive correlation. The Apostle Paul noted that he had become “…all things to all men that by all means (he) might save some… (1 Corinthians 9:22)” If you read the whole passage (9:19-23), you’ll see that it’s about understanding others’ worldviews and perspectives so that we might impact them with the truth and beauty of the Good News of Jesus. 

What ‘color’ do I need to be to best do that? What perspective do I need to better understand in order to be a more effective witness to God?

~~RGM, August 14, 2014