God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways;
    he does great things beyond our understanding. – Job 37:5

Sometimes I’m out running an errand, or walking the dog, or visiting with my parents – and the beauty of the world around me grabs at me for my attention. The word to describe this is “arresting.” I am literally brought to a halt and I am taken into custody, as it were, by this sense of wonder.

This happened several times during the day Monday. I took a load to the recycling facility, then I dropped something off at the church, then I went next door to spend some time with my folks. But time and again the message was the same: “Open your eyes, Derek! Take a pause, and be grateful for what you see.”

So here it is – some of it, at least. Trees mostly, showing off this sudden crescendo of color.

But then my parents, too. We went out onto their deck and sat, chatting, for a good chunk of the afternoon. The unique blessing of presence, and the beauty – God’s creative life – of this world.

Enjoy – I know I did – DEREK