For the Beauty of the Earth (Summer 2013)

Lord, by your blessing
        we are in your mountains;
foundations sunk deep into the earth,
        peaks rising up, reaching for the sky.

High mountain meadows,
        suspended in mid-air;
plush carpet of green,
        flowers of yellow and white.

Mountain brooks bubbling,
        streams determined to join creeks;
creeks falling over themselves into rivers,
        a never ending journey to the sea.

The beauty of Eden repeated:
        a moose standing in knee high water,
deer walking silently past our window,
        exchanging glances without fear.

High sun-warmth on my face,
        the sparkle of aspen leaves;
the sound of rushing water,
        the smell of rain-washed forest.

Stands of Aspen and Pine
        scrubbed clean by the afternoon showers;
tops stretching toward the heavens,
        arms spread out in adoration.

Chipmunks with bulging cheeks,
        squirrels dashing, freezing, scampering;
Hummingbirds in flight and fight,
        bluebirds navigating mountain air.

Oh Lord, what beauty you have made,
        in every direction we look;
sights that were we to stay long enough,
        would become ordinary, commonplace.

The ordinary and commonplace;
        Lord, what beauty do we miss,
our eyes blinded by the sun,
        seeing beauty day after day?

Our family, gathered round this table,
        our health, our work, our opportunities;
and the food prepared and set before us,
        Good Lord, for all these gifts
        we give out thanks and our adoration.

Amen

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