Lola - My Little Miracle!
As we transition from the long, warm days of summer to the shorter, cooler days of fall, we begin to notice the subtle changes in the season not only in the temperature, but in the natural environment around us. Birds are busy migrating to warmer parts of the south as they prepare for another winter season. We are fortunate to reside here in Florida, privileged to observe many of these migrant visitors for the short period of time they grace us with their presence in our little corner of the world. Our dogs start to once again cultivate their winter coats, their bodies designed with this automatic mechanism in place to protect them from the elements. Leaves begin to change color and fall from the trees. A period of dormancy begins as another annual cycle of life comes full circle. We tend to think of miracles as individual events, something that stands out as unusual or unexplainable – an immense gift of single purpose. But isn’t life itself an ongoing miracle? I often sit in my garden and look all around me – from up in the sky back down to the earth – with a distinct focus on the “small stuff”. It all comes together to form a big picture, but it is the sum of all parts that captivates me. To think about everything in the world that is going on at any given moment in time. It’s not an easy thing to do! To look down at the ground and see a small trail of seemingly insignificant ants, marching along, busy with their natural process. Where are they going? What is their purpose? How do they know what to do? How many ants are there in the world, all following this similar pattern? I notice how many pine needles have fallen on my patio since I just swept them yesterday. I look up at the tree and think, how many pine trees are there? How many total pine needles fall everywhere every day? I look around my garden, only a small area, yet I have lots of plants, trees, bushes and other living things. Within them are hundreds of bugs and other wildlife, some can be seen but most are unseen, all with various important roles in nature. Multiply these by the number of yards in each neighborhood; the number of neighborhoods in each town, the number of towns in each state, country, etc. etc. Millions…billions…even trillions of things going on every second in every corner of the world. Mind-boggling to say the least! Who can manage this vast array of activities to such a level of flawless execution? To the point that we hardly even notice what goes on around us! Who made up this blueprint and designed every living thing with a purpose on earth? Who takes care of all these things, making sure that the next cycle of life begins again each and every spring? Who feeds, waters, and constantly nurtures all living things to grow and prosper? We know the answer of course… Thank you God for all these gifts and for this beautiful earth you have provided to sustain us; a place to live in peace and harmony, and for us to enjoy all things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, because dear God, you miraculously and purposely made them all …. for us!
Each little flower that opens, each little bird that sings. God made their glowing colors, and made their tiny wings. The purple-headed mountains, the river running by. The sunset and the morning that brightens up the sky. The cold wind in the winter, the pleasant summer sun, the ripe fruits in the garden, God made them, every one! God gave us eyes to see them, and lips that we might tell. How great is God Almighty, who has made all things well!
Got Milk? Hallelujah 
