The morning sun cutting through the hammock, turns gloom to glory.
My wife and I are blessed to live in a most beautiful but sometimes very dreary place adjacent to some low-lying Florida swampland. Many people think we are crazy, and frankly years ago I might have agreed with them until I found it and considered the beauty of nature and God's glory that it brought before me, and now seventeen years later I am so glad we made the decision we made. Now, having said that, I am not saying things are perfect here, for in times of big storms and overpowering rains, plus summer bugs and mosquitoes, it can be quite a challenge. But when late September and October comes around and the dry season comes, it is one of the most amazing places I have ever seen. And when I am brought close to nature, my belief in God is greatly reinforced and I know that all different places on earth have their purpose and we need to understand it and realize that not all land can be cultivated into a mass housing development or other such change that doesn't lend itself to the lay of the land.
Now I must admit that on a dreary, drizzly, foggy night the surroundings are quite intimidating. They can also be very threatening in the heat of a hot, humid sunner day. But then again, even at those times sometimes you can hear the screech of an owl or a hawk or even and eagle, warding off danger from their young ones snug in their nests or catching a smaller but unlucky predator entering their turf. And in the chance event that you must go into the thicket with snakes and even gators sometimes around can be a bit intimidating. But on a cloudless night with a full moon and the stars twinkling everywhere, the sight is one to behold and the sounds are truly amazing. It is like a city of animals that have come alive at night to party hearty all night. But then in the morning it is as quiet as can be until the sun rises and everything once again comes alive. On moments like that I wouldn't trade my existence for anything.
But there is something much more important to be learned from my experience. It is that all of these creatures, different from all others in so many different ways, are all part of God's majesty of life. Sure it can be brutal for all of them looking for each other as a food source, and it can be intimidating for man if a rare Florida panther shows up or a black bear with her cubs, but it is something we prepare for and can deal with if we listen to the sounds and the rhythm of the swamp.
There is no great air pollution of smog, plus no loud noises that upset the forested area. No, there is a gentle silence and majesty in those surroundings and after nearly two thirds of my life being spent in the city or suburbs, it is a grand awakening for my senses and my heart which brings me much closer to God as my Maker by just being here. And I truly must thank Him for that, as well as my wife, my veritable Doctor Dolittle, who talked me in to leaving the city. I am so glad I did for the final phase of my life. Thank you, Honey, and thank you Dear Lord. And now, let me go back to the God's Country weather we are having today. Have a good one, folks.
Now I must admit that on a dreary, drizzly, foggy night the surroundings are quite intimidating. They can also be very threatening in the heat of a hot, humid sunner day. But then again, even at those times sometimes you can hear the screech of an owl or a hawk or even and eagle, warding off danger from their young ones snug in their nests or catching a smaller but unlucky predator entering their turf. And in the chance event that you must go into the thicket with snakes and even gators sometimes around can be a bit intimidating. But on a cloudless night with a full moon and the stars twinkling everywhere, the sight is one to behold and the sounds are truly amazing. It is like a city of animals that have come alive at night to party hearty all night. But then in the morning it is as quiet as can be until the sun rises and everything once again comes alive. On moments like that I wouldn't trade my existence for anything.
But there is something much more important to be learned from my experience. It is that all of these creatures, different from all others in so many different ways, are all part of God's majesty of life. Sure it can be brutal for all of them looking for each other as a food source, and it can be intimidating for man if a rare Florida panther shows up or a black bear with her cubs, but it is something we prepare for and can deal with if we listen to the sounds and the rhythm of the swamp.
There is no great air pollution of smog, plus no loud noises that upset the forested area. No, there is a gentle silence and majesty in those surroundings and after nearly two thirds of my life being spent in the city or suburbs, it is a grand awakening for my senses and my heart which brings me much closer to God as my Maker by just being here. And I truly must thank Him for that, as well as my wife, my veritable Doctor Dolittle, who talked me in to leaving the city. I am so glad I did for the final phase of my life. Thank you, Honey, and thank you Dear Lord. And now, let me go back to the God's Country weather we are having today. Have a good one, folks.
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