Ode to Big Bend National Park

How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Psalm 104:24

As we entered Big Bend National Park,
We were ready to explore the outdoors.
City noises replaced by warbling birds and
City sights replaced by a hawk as it soared.

The rock formations were gigantic,
It's Texas after all!
From mesas, buttes, volcanoes, and ranges,
To cliffs that formed a wall.

The Rio Grande shaped the canyons;
We saw its waters flowing.
It carved the Santa Elena Canyon
1500 feet deep and growing!

The plant life is just as beautiful
As the park's topography:
From the unfamiliar potols and bushes
To the familiar yucca and juniper tree.

Although two days is not enough time
To explore all the formations and greenery,
I'm grateful for the time we had
To take in its beautiful scenery.

I recently returned from a wonderful road trip where my husband I visited many national parks, lake shores and monuments. God’s world is an amazingly beautiful and diverse place! (How many are Your works, Lord! In wisdom You made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures. Psalm 104:24)

One place in particular that caught our breath was Big Bend National Park. If you’ve never been there, I highly recommend you put it on your bucket list. Talk about diverse! It has mountains, desert, rivers, forests, and canyons. The wildlife is just as diverse with 450 species of birds, 75 species of mammals, and 40 species of fish, just to name a few! I couldn’t help but wonder in awe of God’s creative hand as He formed this place. (I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is Mine. Psalm 50:11)

There’s something about nature that quiets the mind and calms the spirit. It’s not just getting away from your busy life, it’s unplugging from it. As you go off the grid, you’re free to take it all in without interruption. As I sat on the porch of our cabin after a full day of hiking, this poem just seemed to flow as I took in the beautiful mountain view, listened to the birds in a nearby tree, and watched squirrels and lizards scamper by. The concerns of “my world” just melted away as I thought about how God takes care of His creatures. If He provides for a little sparrow, how much more does He care for me! (Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:26)

Jesus gave us the example of retreating into nature. When He needed respite from the crowds, He stole away into the mountains or the wilderness. There He was able to clear His head and talk to God. (But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. Luke 5:16) Although mountain retreats are wonderful for our soul, we don’t have to travel far to unplug from our lives for a little while. Go off to a park, the beach, the lake or whatever natural surroundings are closeby. Turn off your phone and watch and listen as God speaks to you through nature: the rush of wind in the trees, crickets chirping, birds singing, a butterfly fluttering away, water flowing, a squirrel scampering up a tree. Then open your heart and let God speak to your soul.

Lord, thank you for the beauty of nature in all its diversity. Whether I’m on a mountaintop or park bench, remind me daily to take time to unplug from the busyness of life and focus on You. As the surroundings calm my spirit, speak into my soul and give me rest. Amen