by S. Linda Jensen

Created on: May 15, 2010

The seed that becomes a flower or becomes a tree, such a miracle as this, is one reason for my belief in God. The comfort that I find in prayer and having God in my heart brings me peace. The words “Thank God” are common in my daily thoughts and when I speak to others, even speaking out loud to myself.

Beauty in nature gives me cause to feel reverent and close to God. When I see animals play and romp in the pastures and forests, I feel joyful, this is also another special time I feel close to God. The sight of majestic mountains, the rolling surf of the ocean fills me with peace and feelings of grace. The times I have heard the waves thunder ashore there is always a prayer of love and gratitude in my heart for this awesome beauty. The precious joy infants bring and the smiles and laughter of children are cause to love and believe in God.

No church building has ever moved me to feel as close to God as the beauty of a nature. No amount of church suppers, classes, preaching or teaching makes me feel as close to God as nature; as the touch and feel of a child; or of a person that loves and is loved. The expression in the eyes of animals reveals a kind of magical connection with God. This too brings me closer to God in that moment the soulful light in the eyes of animals is very moving. 

Love of God is rich and it is beautiful and painful all at once for me. For with all the beauty found in the world there is much destruction; disease, wars, crime, hunger, anger, fear and suffering. There is evil and there is waste. In God there is hope and that is what we must believe in, faith, hope, and trust. All of the good and beauty can only be gifts from God.

Like many other people born in the Bible-Belt, I was raised in church. Sundays were special and pastors came to lunch at our home often. I am a member of a church now and I go usually every Sunday. Now I tire of the social needs of the church. I tire of the constant needs of the congregation, of fund raisers and committees. It is like people are there to be seen,using pretense to make folks think they show they care. It seems so superficial. I find most are like me. They are too busy and too wrapped up in their own lives to really care about others. In light of that, they put forth effort to be “righteous” and they drive me nuts with all their good intentions and no soul! The light of passion is not visible in their eyes.

Organized religion is capable of great works and they often also inflict a lot of unnecessary pain on individuals in their own congregations and communities. Few of them ever stop to smell the roses or take time to view the sunrise. So much effort is put into being seen as a faithful servant that they really fail to be a person of God. You and I have seen the self righteous do as much harm as they could possibly do good. In view of that opinion I submit; we all fall short in the ways of God. Yet we must never forget the power of prayer, the abundant joy that can be found in life through the love of God.

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