“What’s she doing? Who would want to take a picture of cattails anyway?”
“I would…” I said to myself.
I love walking the trails of Outdoor Campus here in Sioux Falls where nature is kept as natural and unspoiled as possible. At the end of a trail, one must walk on the sidewalk of the entrance road into the park. Across the road are cattails. Last year I was walking a few feet behind three women. The one with the camera walked to the cattails to take pictures when one woman voiced her opinion.
I guess everyone has a right to their own perspective of nature’s paintings. I admired the woman who was soaking up snapshots of everything she could of God’s canvas.
I have fond memories of cattails. I grew up on a farm, and I loved plucking the ripened, fluffy seeds from them and letting them float away with the wind to places nobody but God knows.
The truth is if we don’t venture across the road to see the cattails, we miss other hidden surprises. Behind those tall, stately, brown-suited plants is a pond. And sometimes there are even ducks on the pond.
I never find anything mundane in nature. There always seems to be something new to surprise me, just like when I read the Bible. Something pops out that I didn’t notice after so many times of reading it. God’s Word and nature are so synchronized. Both resound with His voice.
When I went to the Outdoor Campus last week, I asked God, “Will You show me something new today?” As I walked there were so many various thrilling bird calls that I thought: Ah, hearing this is a beautiful surprise already that I never grow tired of. But then a cardinal flew in a few feet from me. He flew away before I could get a photo, but the rich red feathers, black mask around his eyes, and the distinguished red tuft are still etched in my memory bank. Thank You, God. Since then I have found out that the various calls I was hearing were all from cardinals. Did you know they have about two dozen different songs? Wow!
As I returned on the sidewalk I mentioned, I crossed the road to the cattails, and I found another surprise. Usually I see mallard ducks, but this time I saw what I think was a female wood duck.
Nature remains one of my favorite soul-resting whitespaces.
God desires to show us
He is still with us.
If our eyes and ears
Are attuned to His voice,
We will be surprised
And even fascinated
By what He gives,
And hope will burst forth
In radiant colors.
“We need to find God,
and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness.
God is the friend of silence.
See how nature – trees, flowers, grass – grows in silence;
see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence…
We need silence to be able to touch souls.”
– Mother Teresa
Whitespace Writing Prompt:
“Share a Whitespace Moment This Week”
Freed to Fly 
I love this adventure you went on and took me along here. I am reading Bonnie Gray’s book now. Her invitation to rest is so real. You have given me a bit of online eye-rest, even some thought-rest! Glad I came by from Lisa’a.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
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Thank you so much, Linda. I’m so glad you gained some rest. 🙂 I love Bonnie’s book. It has really been life-changing for me. Praying you will be strengthened and enlightened! ❤️
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Beautiful message and photos! Glad I found your blog. I’m on wordpress too!
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Thank you, Paige, for your kind words and for stopping and following. 🙂 God bless you as you teach your impressionable kindergarteners. And in other areas of your life. 💗
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Beautiful pictures. Nature is the best destination. I feel refreshed just reading and seeing a piece of your heart and world.
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Thank you so much, Karmen. I’m so grateful you were refreshed. Nature always refreshes my drooping spirits. 🙂 Praying for hope and healing for you. Hugs! ❤️
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