This week we started a theme of “trees” and pondered Genesis 1-3. Trees were God’s idea. Trees were declared good. Trees enhance our lives in so many ways. Trees give life but some trees are toxic to humans and need to be on our “allergic” list. God created the Garden of Eden and put humans there to care for it. In the center were the tree of life that will be in the eternal kingdom, healing nations, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The later we were not to touch as God would care for us. Sigh…we know the world is not perfect but God has not abandon us. Daily the sun rises and trees still bless us with life.
I chose this song even though I have focused on it before as it speaks to creation. In 1901 Rev. Babcock who lived in Lockport, New York, would walk along the Niagara Escarpment enjoying nature and telling his wife, “I’m going out to see the Father’s world.” He wrote a poem that was later set to music. May you be encouraged in your journey as you gaze at nature around you and see God’s creative power in the midst of the woes of our world.
This is my Father’s world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world,
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world,
He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.
This is my Father’s world.
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!
On the Way to Wonder 