June 3, 2019

“June is bustin’ out all over!” After a long, cold wet spring here, suddenly we have warmth and sunshine. All of God’s creation is responding with incredible beauty for all the senses, and being a part of it is truly a blessing.
              Dealing with a garden -- which of course requires soil preparation, planting, and cultivation including weed removal – I am always reminded of how the Creator made things. They are not only beautiful or at least wonderful, they are also all interrelated. I may refuse to eat worms, for example, but if it were not for worm action in the soil, I would not be eating vegetables either.
              The meadowlarks, bluebirds, wild canaries and other little friends who bring not only color but lilting song to our lives are dependent on grass seeds and insects. When I am working in the garden or the flower beds, I am often trying to eliminate grass and combat some insects – but I need to remember that they are part of the plan.
              My small McIntosh apple trees were covered with snow in mid May, and within a week they were covered with bees, among them the magnificent “bomber” bees clear down to tiny honey bees, all making sure that pollination takes place and I will have apples. Where were the bees during the snowstorm, and what brought them here to our place?
              Because of being raised by a botanist and his wife, I have always had the greatest respect for scientific theories and observation. I sincerely believe that God created the mind of man to contribute all of these things to the world – sometimes for nefarious purposes but more often for good intent. Often I have wanted to know the how’s and why’s of parts of creation.
              On the other hand, great joy can be found in just quieting the mind and contemplating the beauty and mystery. How some little seeds can produce carrots and leeks – and bok choi, which by the way has neon green little seeds – and others can produce wildflowers just amazes me. And colors, textures and scents summon every sense to participate in being part of a world far beyond human imagination.
              Praise God for June, for creation, for the gift of beauty and our place in the world, which definitely includes praising Him for all He has done.