Hello, God. It's me, Mara.

You know, Lord, some incidences happen at a most appropriate time! A friend recently shared a story about how she and her friend visited a favorite spot; after climbing a windswept hill, they crossed a field of wildflowers near a forest of towering pines, then descended into a valley where they paused for a moment. Clouds floated softly above them and a nearby stream trickled by. The only sounds they heard were birdsongs. They stood for about 15 minutes, she said, taking it all in.

As it turns out, their actions that day were deeply therapeutic. According to some research, they discovered that people who stop to contemplate nature, experience high levels of happiness, lower levels of anxiety, and a greater desire to care for the earth. Walking through the forest isn't enough, though. You have to watch the clouds, listen to the birds. The key isn't being in nature but noticing it.

Could there be a spiritual reason for nature's benefits, she wondered. We shared several Biblical passages, revealing God's power and nature; Job looked at the sea, sky and stars, Jesus said that contemplating "birds of the air" and 'flowers of the field" could reveal God's care and reduce our anxiety. (Matthew 6:25-30). We discovered that in Scripture, noticed nature is a spiritual practice.

Right about then, nearby meadowlarks began to sing, several robins checked out the birdbath, with mourning doves, nearby, not wanting to wait their turn at the birdbath for a refreshing drink. Other tiny little birds fluttered in nearby trees, checking things out.

She shared Matthew 6:26; "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them." We paused a moment - then prayed, "God of heaven, earth, streams and birdsongs, we worship You today. Thank You, dear Father God, for Your creation."

Love, Mara