All Nature Seems To Speak
A Heart To Understand
Thomas Merton has a line in his diminutive volume Thoughts in Solitude that I greatly appreciate: “Gratitude takes nothing for granted, is never unresponsive, is constantly awakening to new wonder…” It is simple but profound. A gentle push to receive the gift of life that our everyday offers. See the light. Feel the wind. Hear the rustling leaves. Touch the earth. Smell the soil. Indeed, take nothing for granted because it is all gift.
The season of Thanksgiving is a perfect time to freshen our hearts and awaken our spirits to the gifts that life prodigiously manifests. The brilliant and eccentric artist Vincent Van Gogh clearly captured this truth when he opined,
“All nature seems to speak….As for me, I cannot understand why everybody does not see it or feel it; nature or God does it for everyone who has eyes and a heart to understand.” (Vincent Van Gogh, The Complete Letters)
A few questions for your reflection: In what ways are you grateful? What is rising up in your heart that calls for thanks? What nature gifts evoke an ‘Amen’ from your lips today?
Alan, thanks for posting. I am thankful for all the love that the Lord has bestowed on me and my family. I admire the rich colours of the trees during our Autumn season, the beauty of the snow as it comes down from the sky. We serve an awesome God!
Hi Lorraine, We do indeed serve an awesome God! The beauty of the autumn season is both inspiring and humbling. Glory be to God!