This photo was taken on a recent hike at Morris Reserve in Bellbrook. It is a newer park and though we have been there many times, we had never seen it with all of these purple flowers blooming. It was an unexpectedly splendid view walking along this section of the trail.
Often, the best experience is to encounter something new when there was no reason to expect something new.
This was our lunch spot on a day we got up early to drive from Fairbanks to Wrangell-St Elias National Park. We found a picnic table here with this fantastic view. It seemed odd that there was a single table and toilet here and not much else. On the other hand, not much else was needed besides the view!
Often, you don’t have to look hard to find the beauty in creation!
We truly live in an Information Age! This photo was taken at Sweet Arrow Reserve near Bellbrook. I wanted to learn what this purple flower is. Lots of information pops up on the internet when you search “purple black eyed susan flower.” I found that this is a coneflower (Echinacea). Echinacea is a supplement used to “boost” the immune system, and there are numerous studies that show it may or may not have a beneficial effect.
We live in a time when it is relatively easy to find good information on so many different topics. But it is important to remember that there is still only one source of truth.
This photo was taken in late April during a hike at the Arc of Appalachia. We had gone there to see the spring flowers in bloom. The colors were not only in the flowers; the trees and even the rock was colorful!
God’s gifts are “pressed down and running over” (Luke 6:38)
This photo was taken during our pilgrimage in northern Spain five years ago, El Camino de Santiago. That pilgrimage was the start in this blog; a way to share the times and places where I saw God “along the way.”
El Camino is a journey that begins before you arrive in Spain, maybe even before you even begin your planning. And it certainly does not end when you arrive in Santiago. For me, this photo journal is but one way that the journey continues.
When I saw this Prickly Pear Cactus, I was struck by how “unusual “ it looked to my eye. Ironically, it didn’t even really catch my eye until almost the end of our week in Virginia Beach. Ironic because it was literally right beside the driveway where we were parking the car.
How often do we miss something that is “right under our nose?” That is a great way to think about seeing God in the ordinary. Seeing what is really right in front of us.
This is another photo from Sweet Arrow Preserve, taken 2 weeks ago. The flower is a Wild teasel (Dipsacus sylvestris). According to Wikipedia, the name “teasel“ comes from the use of this flower to brush (tease) cloth. Sadly, it is probably an invasive species in the park.
I found the name of the species using an app (PlantSnap) that identifies plants and trees directly from a photo. I have another app for identifying birds but you have to manually enter the distinguishing characteristics (rather than it happening automatically from a photo).
It’s tempting to think of the Bible as a spiritual version of Wikipedia (or the plant/bird apps). Have a question? Just look up the answer! While I definitely believe God communicates with us through the Bible, it’s not quite so simple as just “looking up” answers. Discernment is required. But that is not a bad thing!
This photo was taken a little over a week ago at Sweet Arrow Preserve. We had checked the radar and forecast before we headed out to hike and it looked like the rain was going to hold off for a couple of hours. Less than 30 minutes into our hike, it started raining. And then raining harder. And then it let up a little. We stayed mostly on the wooded trails and didn’t get too wet… until we headed to the car. Then we got soaked.
The thing is, with the hot weather we have been having, it actually felt good. Sometimes, we avoid experiences that we know will be good for us. Sometimes, we dread what is about to happen only to realize it really wasn’t that bad. Thankfully, God knows what is good for us.
I find water lilies to be intriguing. I’m not sure why but I used to think they were completely floating in the water. I learned from Wikipedia that is not the case. It seems obvious that they must be anchored to the bottom of the pond or lake, since they more or less stay in one place. I also learned there were about 70 species of water lilies. Genetic studies have shown that they are among the oldest flowering plants.
There are so many things in life that are “obvious” once you know them. There also are so many things that are “hidden” that we make assumptions about. Often without realizing we are making those assumptions. This seems to apply to racism. It is not obvious until you see it. Then you wonder how you could have not seen it before.
(Photo: Indiana Dunes National Park)
Seeing God in all things does not literally mean I think God looks like these flowers. I read a reflection last weekend (www.americamagazine.org) that suggested adding the word laboring: God laboring in all things. I don’t use the word “laboring” often, but I like the idea of seeing God in action. I see God providing beauty through these flowers. In an even larger way, I see God providing love and kindness through the actions of so many people reaching out to family, friends, neighbors and strangers in need right now.
Signs Along the Way 