The Rescue of Nature

Last evening, a strong rainstorm rushed through our town. Afterward, we took a walk with our dog to a local park.

In the evening's golden light, deer fed in the creek bottom, aware but unconcerned with our presence.

We saw a hawk swoop from its perch to catch a mouse at the water's edge.
Some trees were budding. Some, like the redbud and Mountain Laurel are in full bloom, in stark contrast to some of the still gray and brown areas of the woods.

Toward the end of our walk we noticed a family taking pictures of a seemingly empty and leafless pecan tree. As we drew near, the tree was not empty...on a low branch, low enough to reach up an touch sat a barred owl. It sat patiently as pictures were taken and the family shared the moment with their children, who it seemed had never seen an owl that close before.

We were not thinking of panic buying or social distancing. It was a rescue.

This morning the sun rose. Birds sing outside my window. The breeze freshens our house through open windows.

Nature is not anxious. It is unaffected  by our current state of affairs. It carries on.

In a world increasingly artificial, take time to connect with nature. You dont need deer, or hawks, or owls. Get up, go outside and feel the breeze on your face. Touch the rough bark of a tree. Smell the flowers that are beginning to bloom. Find a large rock by a stream and sit for a while and listen. And be rescued.

...whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8b