The American Painted Lady Butterfly landing on Lantana
Photography by: Curtis Beaird
Article by: Norma W. Beaird
Genesis 1: 11 - 12
11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
Beauty surrounds us........and we keep on texting!
Sometimes, in the franctic pace of the day, we forget to look around us and see the beautiful world that we are living in, the world that God created for you and me. Sales goals, busy schedules, technological inventions, workloads, ball games..... and the never-ending need to keep up with the culture seems to distract us from the beautiful creation that surrounds us.
We have become so enamored with our busy lives and materialistic endeavors that we sometimes miss the wonders of nature. I sometimes question........ Do parents take the time to introduce their little ones to a state park and show them the beauty of a butterfly? Do they sit down for five minutes and teach their child or teenager how to fish?
Do husbands and wives ever leave the noise and distractions of the city to take a drive through the countryside and admire the rolling green hills? Do they take a cup of coffee to the front porch and sit and listen to the rain?
Do college students or factory workers or housewives or CEO's ever take the time to identify just a few of the many species of birds? Do folks ever walk outside during a full moon and photograph the big, round wonder that God put in place to light up the night? Do dads teach their sons and daughters about the various stars and constellations in the sky?
Do families ever go on vacation to places other than amusement parks, opting instead to visit a wildlife preserve? Do you and your friends ever take the time to go for a walk in the park or hike through the woods? Can you smell the honeysuckle? Do you enjoy the fragrance of rain?
When you go to the beach, do you notice things other than surfboards or jet skis? Do you watch the seagulls and pelicans? When you go to the mountains, do you notice the white mist of clouds that sometimes gather in the valley?
If you answered "no" to most of these questions, then it is time to stop, slow down and closely examine your priorities. It's time to lay down the cell phone, turn off the computer, take a break and relieve some stress. It's time to walk outside and look around. It's time to grab your camera or binoculars and look towards the sky.
The modern-day culture pushes us into a schedule of insanity. From boardroom meetings to softball games to dance recitals to church functions to shopping malls......... to everything else under the sun, we are busy, entertained, stressed, exhausted or overwhelmed. We network and knock ourselves out, hoping to reach that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Distracted and tired, people miss out on some of the most beautiful things that life has to offer.
It's amazing........folks go to church and listen to the pastor read a passage from the Genesis 1 creation chapter, and they go home, never walking outside to genuinely experience the sights, sounds and fragrances of the Lord's creation.
People see profit margins, but do they see butterflies?
Therefore, my message for today.........
.......like the popular Mac Davis song encourages us to do, is to Stop and Smell the Roses. Take the time necessary to teach your family about nature. For those folks who are avid outdoor lovers or astronomers.......... or those who are hunters or fisherman.......or those who are hikers or environmentalists.........or those who are wildlife photographers or bird watchers, this message won't apply. You already understand the necessity of enjoying the wonder of nature.
However, for those who won't slow down enough to understand that there is more to life than the hurried existence of schedules, goals, meetings, games, technology and profit margins, this message is for you. For those who keep a calendar so full, that you don't have time to eat a meal without getting indigestion, this message is for you. Slow down and enjoy the fact that life is meant to be lived and savored. Life is meant to be cherished, and that includes an observation and appreciation for the natural world of glorious beauty that God has created.
God did not create exhaustion or chaos, and it is our job as humans who were entrusted with this planet, to be sure that we are not orchestrating exhaustion and chaos in our own lives. Remember, God created the world and then He rested on the seventh day. God has surrounded us with beauty. Let us not forget to be observant, appreciative and thankful.
Genesis 2: 1 - 3 (KJV)
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
Copyright 2012, Norma W. Beaird. All rights reserved.
