In God’s country

I just spent several days in the Ozarks in southern Missouri. Although it is far from being the first time I’ve been there, for some reason it felt like the first time. Although I’ve probably been there a hundred times, I think this was the first trip to where I totally let every bit of stress of my daily life leave my mind to where I could really relax and enjoy my mini-cation. Although the word relax might be a stretch, since we travelled to two natural springs and to the river in a relatively short span, but “relax” in my vernacular equates to “not working”.

Now, I’m the type of person that can see, each and every day, the miracle of God’s creation. There isn’t a day that goes by to where I don’t stop and think “Wow” when I look around me at nature. Think of this only magnified by about 100 when I’m in southern Missouri. My wife’s hometown of Winona is a small one, set among seemingly millions of trees and many hills. Unlike here in Wichita, where towns and cities are becoming more and more connected, as new houses are being built every single day, once you leave the city limits in Winona, there are scant few houses. What connects the towns in southern Missouri? Trees.

This time of year it is perfect. Not hot, but not yet cold either. You can still drive to the rivers and enjoy them, perhaps not daring to get in but enjoying their majesty all the same. I plan to go again over the holidays and I look forward to the chilly, perhaps even downright cold mornings, when I can step out on the porch and hear the sounds of nature and smell the wood burning in fireplaces that are perhaps miles away. I intend to take my notepad with me next time so that might be able to clearly convey through words the sights and sounds around me. Who knows? Maybe I’ll even figure out how to upload some pictures.

If you’ve been there, or live there, you obviously know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t been there, trust me, you must go and visit, even for a few days. Walk in the woods and talk to God. You won’t have to struggle to hear Him over the sirens and car engines.

 

Romans 1:19‑20

What may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature‑‑have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.