The Wonders Of Nature (Blog #11)

For really the first time this summer, Bill and I heard thunder and saw one flash of lightning fairly close. Of course, there have been other storms that have moved through to the east, north, south and west of us. Over Brooklyn Center, however, this was the first real hint of a thunderstorm at our house. (There might have been one a couple months ago when we were sound asleep but that hasn't been verified by anyone.) Very little rain accompanied our mini-thunderstorm. In fact, behind the house, our large trees prevented some of the lawn from even getting wet. Oh, the wonderful marvels of nature!

Imagine my surprise this morning when I walked out of the house shortly after 6:00am and found myself dripped on from the roof above. As I took Reba out for her morning routine, I noticed that the entire lawn is soaked, not with rain but with dew. Then I remembered that the Bible speaks of "dew" as a heavenly gift and a number of Scripture verses speak about the dew of heaven covering the ground. As the Israelites wandered in the wilderness after their deliverance from slavery in Egypt, it was heavenly dew that marked the arrival of their daily bread - manna from above. For the Old Testament followers, dew was considered a blessing from heaven. When you consider that this morning's dew left more water on the lawn than last night's rain, it surely is a blessing in the midst of another dry year.

Then again, is it not true that the most wonderful gifts we receive are often wonderful and unexpected. As human beings, you and I have much to be thankful for. Our bodies are marvels in and of themselves. No, that doesn't mean that we will never have issues due to our lack of care or the natural breakdown of organs or systems within our bodies. Biblical David recognized the gift he had received from his Creator and offers his praise in Psalm 139. "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." [Psalm 139:14]

Perhaps the next time you witness a thunderstorm, large or small, you will remember all of the wonders of nature. And the next time you notice the "dew" on the grass, this too is a wonderful gift that provides the blessing of additional moisture to the earth as well. The majestic power of God is illustrated beautifully by the following verses from the Book of Job. "He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven and sends it to the ends of the earth. After that comes the sound of his roar; he thunders with his majestic voice. When his voice resounds, he holds nothing back. God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'" [Job 37:3-6]

Have a wonderful day filled with the marvelous blessings of nature!

~ DB Turnmire

Waiting for the Rain

Each day I look at the lawn and it gets drier and drier. In spite of the periodic showers we have been receiving, the yards in our neighborhood seem to become more parched. Of course, there seems to be a bumper crop of dandelions around this year as they seem to thrive in times of dryness. Strangely enough, in our neighborhood of sand and clay subsoil, none of the neighbors have yet started watering obsessively.

Every day another routine takes place as well. As dark clouds roll in from the north or west, Bill secretly wishes for a thunderstorm. A true lover of this wonder of nature, he has been severely disappointed by our rather anemic one or two claps of thunder and perhaps one flash of lightning during this spring season. A few years ago, I penned the following poem to commemorate Bill's love of thunderstorms.

THUNDERSTORM

~ May 20, 2004 ~

Lightning flashes and thunder claps;
Skies turn shades of yellow and hues of green;
Winds rage and all of nature cowers -
The thunderstorm draws closer.

Rain begins to fall and lakes and rivers form
Where once there was dry land.
Trees bow before nature’s fury;
Sheets of water pummel the earth.

Now the sky is black as midnight –
It is mid-morning or late afternoon.
Pinging sounds are heard on roofs and windows;
Hail adds a new dimension to the storm.

Captivated by nature’s eruptive forces,
Staring through the panes of glass,
He is amazed by the spectacular display –
Such power unleashed for all to see.

Sounds of thunder fade into the distance;
Pouring rain slows to a drizzle;
Shimmers of light appear on the horizon;
Birds chirp and squirrels scamper.

Storm clouds vanish and blue skies appear.
Rays of sunshine dry the urban landscape.
Steam rises from once cold pools of water.
Brilliant rainbow colors mix with azure.

The life of a thunderstorm!

The Old Testament prophet, Zechariah, reminds us of the source of the springtime rains and thunderstorms. "Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men and plants of the field to everyone." [Zechariah 10:1 NIV] It is the same God who brings the spring storms in nature, with the thunder and lightning to accompany them, that also offers us refuge from the storms of life. "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble." [Psalm 46:1]

Whether there is a thunderstorm raging or a drought blazing, "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever." [Psalm 118:1]

~ DB Turnmire