Sermon Central
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The Secrets Of Life
Contributed by Bruce Lee on Jun 6, 2024 (message contributor)
“Those who find beauty in all of nature will find themselves at one with the secrets of life itself.” ~L. Wolfe Gilbert
I have a dog named Bella. She is a Blue Heeler. I must confess that at the time Bella came into my life a dog was not on my wish list. My stepson is the “original owner.” But as teenage boys may do when puppies grow up…, well, guess who takes care of the dog, his mother and I. That being said, I wouldn’t take anything for her now, she is such a part of the family and my life as well. She is a smart dog. We have a rope with bells on the doorknob and when she wants to go outside she will go to the door and with her nose or paw she will ring the bells. I will jump up and take her outside. My wife says, that “Bella has me trained so well.” I suppose she does.
Bella loves it when I take her outside for a walk but it can wear on my patience. Her little dog nose inspects the grass, dirt, and trees. She stops to take in all the sights along the trail. Each time it is like she has never been outside before. She takes her time to study everything in fine detail. Just as my thoughts begin to turn to things at work and unfinished tasks and things that I am anxious about off she goes again. Each time almost like a dance, stopping, then running, pausing, then pulling at her leash.
Then, I see the squirrel that has Bella’s attention. I hear the birds she starts to chase after. Then, a moment later she comes to a small pond of water and I hear one of my favorite sounds of the outdoors, that brings back memories that go all the way back to my childhood, growing up in the country, the sound of tiny frogs peep, peep, peeping. That awakens something buried within me that yearns for the simple pleasures that so often have been replaced by stress and cares of life. Now, I make it a conscious decision to put away the things that distract me and keep me from not just enjoying nature but have kept me from experiencing the secrets and mystery of God’s creation.
It took that little Blue Heeler dog to remind me of the beauty in all of nature that surrounds us. Now, I admire the intricacy of the flowers along the path and the wonder of the winding ivy on the trees. I feel the occasional damp mist on my skin and the touch of the warm rays of sun on my face. I stop and smell the flowers and the honeysuckle. I can even smell the asphalt, and the dirt and the air. I treasure each one of my senses being awakened with each new discovery as if it was my first walk outside in nature. I had no idea that Bella would “train me so well.”
Prayer: Almighty creator, help us to stop and see the canvas you have painted and the life you have created for us. Let us give thanks for the journey, and savor every bit of the sweet experiences along our path that life has to offer. Let us find hope and healing today. Amen.
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