A PICTURE AND A POEM: A CLOSER LOOK

You fill this world with beauty,
your creation brings delight,
and all around me I can see
your power and your might
in the grandeur of the ocean,
the sky’s enormity,
the majesty of mountaintops,
the strength in every tree.

Yet I can often overlook
(in my ordinary days)
how your greatness still surrounds me
in small and lovely ways.
But when I pay attention,
I find your simple gifts
are gathered near to greet me,
to bless and to uplift.

Your grandeur’s right beside me.
There are miracles held inside
each tiny bud and bloom and branch;
your presence does abide.
All creation seems to sing
of your awe and majesty,
so I join in the chorus
as I feel you here with me.

Sometimes I try to find you, God
in places far away
yet you’re not in distant heaven
but you’re here with me, today.
You’re with me in creation,
with your Spirit in my soul;
I find you in everyone
who makes our world more whole.

So with this new perspective
that there’s more than meets the eye,
help me take a closer look
as life is passing by.
May I find you in the fauna,
the flora and the stranger,
in the friendship, in the love,
and the baby in the manger.

Let me take a deeper look
at your creative power
found in every fellow human
and every fragile flower.
And I can share a portion
of your love that’s limitless
through caring words, in kindness shown,
and humble acts that bless.

(Photos by Karen)