Todays Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul

[Guest guest]

Communing with Nature

By B. Gibbs

Almost every morning before I start my day, I make my way to

this little park. Very seldom do I see anyone else there. It

seems that everyone else is too busy running here and there to

stop to admire God's beautiful creation.

It was quiet at the little pond that morning. The water was

still. The leaves on the trees were not shivering like usual.

The silence was broken by the ringing of my cellular phone. The

noise startled me. I jumped and grabbed the telephone wondering

who would be calling me that early.

" Hi, Mama, " my son, Chad, said. " What are you doing? "

" I'm sitting at a little pond across town, " I answered.

" You're doing what? " he inquired.

" I'm spending some quiet time at this perfect little

place, " I explained. " I come here almost every morning. It helps

me get my day started on the right track. "

" You're sitting at a pond communing with nature, while I'm

stuck in Atlanta traffic, " Chad laughed. " It must be nice. "

" It is very nice, " I admitted. " You should try it some time. "

Chad and I talked until the traffic resumed on his end. We

offered our loving farewells and hung up.

My mind took me to a place where I had lived several years

earlier. I was one of those people living every minute of each

day in a rat race. I didn't take the time to commune with nature,

spend quiet time with God, or take the time to get in touch with my

feelings. I thought I was happy driving in the fast lane of life.

When I think back I realize that I had been afraid of

being alone. I could put on a good show before everyone else,

but if I got quiet I was forced to be honest with myself. I

wasn't doing the things that I knew deep in my heart I was

supposed to be doing. God had called me to minister to others

through writing and public speaking, but I had ignored His call.

I justified my actions by telling myself that I had to make a

living. I was exactly like everybody else in this world -

struggling to make ends meet, while not considering the real

reason for my existence.

I was afraid to slow down. If I miss a day at work, I will

get too far behind, I reasoned. Therefore, I worked even when I was

sick. I pushed myself to the limit so many times. I wondered who I

was trying to impress. Was it my boss or coworkers? I decided that

it was probably me that I was trying to impress. I had to feel

worthy. I wanted to feel like a dedicated and hard-working employee.

But in the meantime, I denied myself the privilege of really living

my life to its fullest.

I took a few more minutes to pray. A few birds landed in the

tree beside me. I smiled as I listened to the songs they were

singing. A squirrel scampered by, but not without stopping to

gaze at me. I glanced at my watch and knew that my quiet time

was over. It was time to start my day.

I stood before a group of ladies at a speaking engagement.

" Today is the first day of the rest of your lives, " I announced.

" Where will you go from here? " I shared the story about the

pond, my son's remark, and the emotions I felt that morning while

communing with nature and God.

I encouraged the ladies to slow down, serve God each and

every day, and to take some time to pray. The meeting concluded

about an hour later, and I returned to my car. I felt good. I

was no longer afraid to leave my comfort zone for God's sake. I

was thankful that I gave up the fast lane of life. I was

excited to be doing the things that God created me to do.

I drove back to the pond before I returned home from my

engagement. The wind had picked up. I watched as the ripples

in the once still water traveled to the shore. I realized that

the words I share at my speaking engagements can be compared to

the ripples in the water. By spreading the good news to others,

they can find the peace and joy that only God and nature can

give.