The Wonders of Creation

I have always loved the stories of St Francis Assisi and the animals. I’m sure most people are familiar with the story of the wolf that was attacking a village and how Francis was able to speak to the wolf and broker a peace pact. I love the stories of the rabbit that refused to leave his lap and how Francis preached to the birds and the fish, calling them God’s creatures too and exhorting them to praise their Creator.

He did not approach nature as something to be controlled or exploited, but received everything as a gift from God. And so Francis saw the hand of God in all creatures and saw their true place in the kingdom.

I think deep down all of us would like to connect to nature the way Francis did. I see it in our love for books such as Watership Down and Black Beauty which call us to consider the way we treat our fellow creatures and our environment. Television is filled with excellent documentaries covering all aspects of our world. Or most of us have experienced the power of nature in the form of snow-covered mountains, flowing rivers and painted deserts.

But even with all our reading and viewing, many of us still feel disconnected. It can be difficult to be filled with awe for something we rarely see as we go about our lives amidst concrete mountains. So much of suburban and urban life is spent indoors in an office where nothing relieves the eye but a few indoor plants. We spend hours in our cars on freeways where the landscaping is hidden by the mass of cars that surround us, We are so used to the greenery in the medians of our city streets that often we don’t even see it as we whiz past.

So, how can we restore our sense of awe and wonder in the world that surrounds us, especially since we are so very busy all the time? It is possible if we take it moment by moment. Upon rising in the morning, take a moment and look out your window. Not just a quick weather check, but stop a moment and see how blue the sky is or how the gray of the clouds is like the inside of an oyster shell. Give thanks to God for the incredible range of colors that delight our eyes.
On the way out the door, if possible, stop and examine a leaf or flower. Cup it in your hand, feel its texture. How does it fit into the life of the bush? How perfectly does it fill its place? This is the work of God, hidden in plain sight. Even the flowers and leaves are fearfully and wonderfully made. If you happen to live in a place where flowers outside your door are difficult if not impossible, is there an arboretum or garden nearby that you could visit?

Those of us lucky enough to have animals in our lives don’t need to be told what joy and personality they add to our lives. For those unable to have pets, is there a public farm or zoo that might allow some contact with these amazing beings?

The work of God is all around us. May we, like St. Francis of Assisi, delight in the wonders our God has given us!