All during the month of October, I have been focusing on Big Blessings. In today’s concluding post, the emphasis is on the great blessings of God’s creation. I think you’ll enjoy some of Ron’s beautiful photographs which illustrate …
One reason I chose to devote an entire month to focus on the bigness of blessings is because I desire to train my thoughts to focus on what is right in the world rather than on what is wrong. From my limited research on how the brain works, I believe this desire requires a good deal of intentionality.
During November, I will give deliberate attention to gratitude, another sometimes counter-intuitive response to all that is wrong. Believe me, I acknowledge there is a LOT wrong in the world. I am not a Pollyanna and never minimize painful, negative situations in our personal journeys. I honor the process of lament, loss, and grief, but there is so much to be grateful for, and I do not want to permit the negative to outweigh every good gift I receive. I hope you’ll continue to join me next month.
The photos featured in today’s post were taken by my husband during our October getaway to regions in Idaho, Nevada, California, and Oregon. Ron has a special knack for capturing the blessing of God’s good gifts of creation through the lens of his camera.
The first three photos were taken during walks along Reno’s River Walk. Artistically designed on either side of the Truckee River, the walk displays lovely flowers as well as recreational activities, fun restaurants, unique coffee shops, and creative artwork by local artists.
The Reno skies were amazing. The under-developed poet who frolics within me often expressed wonderment at the “cerulean sky.” According to AI Overview, “Cerulean skies in poetry serve as a vivid visual anchor, typically symbolizing transcendence, clarity, peace, and the sublime beauty of nature.” When I read that definition, I thought, Now that’s what I meant!”
Before we left on vacation, a friend suggested we take the 72-mile drive around Lake Tahoe. These next three photos are from our excursion around the largest alpine lake in North America and the second-deepest lake in the United States. The magnificent body of water, located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, straddles California and Nevada.
Lastly, on our drive back home, we decided to traverse some steep passes in the Cascade Mountains to visit Crater Lake National Forest in southern Oregon. Crater Lake, a pristine and magnificent site, is a volcanic caldera lake, which wins the prize for the deepest lake in the U.S.A. These final photos are of this amazing geological wonder.
Prayer
Creator God,
Thank you for Your gifts of
Creation and creativity.
At times, I stand in awe, overwhelmed by
The marvel of nature’s vastness.
Sometimes, I am mesmerized by an intricate detail
Observed in the design of a small creature.
At other times, I am amazed by the creative gifts
You bestow upon humankind.
Help me always be grateful, to appreciate and
Steward well each miraculous gift of creation.
Amen
Blessings on your journey,
