Recently we were walking our five year old granddaughter home after a visit to our house, and she said something remarkable. (Our son’s family lives on a forested parcel adjacent to our own near Puget Sound.)
This precious little girl gazed to the top of the tall pine and fir lining the path and said, “I love the music the woods make.” She went on to describe various elements of nature’s orchestra, including the whistling wind in the treetops, the croaking of innumerable frogs drumming down by the pond, and, of course, the varied melodies of the birds who also call this glorious place “home.”
It was a wonderful moment.
When we pause to appreciate nature, it reminds us of the beneficent God who created it. Nature, especially when it is pristine and untouched by human hand, is truly wondrous. There are, I recognize, some “natural” settings that might actually be improved by human intervention . . . but these are few.
Unspoiled nature is beautiful. And that is a crucial distinction to make—because nature too has been corrupted by humanity’s fall from grace. Its capricious temperament is manifested in storms and other disasters.
So we, as Sons of Adam and Daughters of Eve must be content to savor this blurred image of God’s original creation. For, even this corrupted world, is surely magnificent.
C.S. Lewis appreciated this truth. He and his close friends enjoyed many a long walk across the English countryside.
Nature is an awe-inspiring thing, but she is incapable of communicating ultimate joy. To find that, we must look beyond the forest to see who wrote the music it so eloquently sings.
In The Four Loves, Lewis emphasizes this truth:
Nature cannot satisfy the desires she arouses nor answer theological questions nor sanctify us. Our real journey to God involves constantly turning our backs on her; passing from the dawn-lit fields into some pokey little church, or (it might be) going to work in an East End parish. But the love of her has been a valuable and, for some people, indispensable initiation.
May our Creator grant us the opportunity to enjoy his unfathomable creation—even as we recognize that it is only by his boundless grace we are capable of doing so.
Mere Inkling Press 
Yes.
No better education can be found than wandering the woods.
Glad your granddaughter is observant and has the words to explain and discuss.
Such a good start.
Lucky kid! (and you guys, too!)
“for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious liberty of the children of God.” Romans 8: 20-21. (RSV) The new heavens and new earth. Can’t wait!
I’ve always told my daughter God is the best artist. I’ve been in a bit of a faith crisis for a little over a year and nature is one of the things helping me to find my way. It’s wonderful to look at a sunset or the things growing in my garden as reminders of God’s ever present presence.
You’re correct and teaching your daughter well. As for your doubts . . . talk to your pastor. (As one, I assure you we want to know when people are struggling, so we can encourage and support you.) If you don’t have one, or aren’t comfortable talking to them (who knows, they could be part of your problem) . . . then ask your close friends what their pastors are like. I’m sure you’ll get a good recommendation. Then you’ll have someone to help walk beside you in this shadowed valley . . . back into the brightness.
That little girl is very wise. God bless her.
Thanks for sharing this CSL quote. Two parts of it strike me most… “Nature can’t satisfy the desires she arouses…” Wow, that’s so amazing! Romans 1… She speaks of her maker, but all many hear or see is her… they fail to see beyond her. I could’ve used this today when I was sharing Jesus with a few hippie travellers today in GG Park! Next time.
The other is how she is an “indespensible initiation.” Don’t you just love this guy! Psalm 19 “… her voice is heard everywhere…” But it’s an “initiatiion” into knowing the Creator, not the whole thing. Love her because of how she points us to her Maker.
Where great minds miss it, your granddaughter gets it!
Thanks!
I love that you’re in the Seattle area! I think there is no better nature to be seen than the PNW…no better way to see God at work in creation. Yes…I’m biased.
Yes, I’ve lived in every region of the U.S. aside from the Northeast, and you can’t beat the Pacific Northwest!
Pingback: We Found Hobbits in Our Yard « Mere Inkling Press