“The world is charged with the grandeur of God” (Gerard Manley Hopkins).
I’m an extrovert by nature, but over the years I’ve learned to enjoy silence and solitude. Truthfully, I think I’ve always had a contemplative-philosophical side to me. I remember as a child laying in bed at night, driving myself crazy pondering what it means to live eternally. As strange as it sounds, I also remember the first time I became conscious of my uniqueness. Again, I was just a child, maybe six or seven years old. My family was getting into the car in the driveway, and out of the blue, like a self-conscious flash, I became deeply aware of myself. The only way I could express it–and I spoke it audibly–was, “I feel like me.” My sisters thought I was weird.
I wasn’t a very good high school student. I failed algebra two years in a row (not two quarters, not two semesters, but two YEARS). I simply couldn’t grasp it. There weren’t many subjects for which I had a passion. But I do remember surprising my junior English teacher when I suddenly raised my hand and correctly answered a question concerning the metaphysical poets. I was just as surprised as she was, but something inside me enjoyed these poets who contemplated existence. I went on to study theology and philosophy in college and continued to ponder the deeper questions of life and existence.
So this evening I was doing just that: walking around the seminary property, smoking my pipe (something I don’t do often), listening to the birds, contemplating life and God’s love for me and all the ways He reveals it. Metaphysicians contemplate being. I know, it sounds rather boring; but it actually has a way of raising the mind and heart to the Source of all being. Contemplating creation ultimately leads to contemplating the Creator.
I find that when I’m in nature I’m able to experience the Lord’s presence in a profound way. I took for granted growing up in a beach town, but now one of my favorite things to do on my day off is to spend some time at Weekapaug (pictured above). It’s one of my favorite spots. I can sit on the rocks, watch the waves crash, listen to the ocean, watch the seagulls, and just breathe in the ocean air. I feel God’s presence there. God’s love is revealed to us through creation.
Just listening to the birds sing this evening reminded me that my life is to be a song of praise to the Lord. Looking at the trees stretching skyward reminded me to focus on Heaven. Absorbing the silence of the evening made me enter into the silence of my soul where He dwells.
And it was just on my heart to share these thoughts with you.
(Below is a meditation that I wrote many years ago as I spent time that morning at Weekapaug)
Do you have a place to go to think? To pray? Is there a place in nature that you’re drawn to where you experience God’s presence? If so, please share it. If you haven’t found that place, I encourage you to; and if you have, I encourage you to go there often.
The End of Autumn
These dying trees
Lifeless
Leaves floating, falling
Gliding in the gentle breeze
Still there is color
But barely
These will bloom again!
The autumn chill
The morning sky
The thin clouds breaking
Revealing blue
The birds are flying, crying
Gathering what they can
The seagull too
Hovers over this ocean blue
The tide is gentle
Rippling, speaking
As it washes on
The stony shore
The green glass glistens
As the sun is breaking
There’s a rustling
As the wind meets
What leaves remain
On these dying trees
Let this scene speak to you
These things are not chance
Look!
Perceive the design
Transcend!
Transcend yourself
Awaken!
Awaken to reality
Do not dismiss
What you think
Is simplicity
Mystery dwells in simplicity
Be still
Listen
Nature is pleading, groaning
Speaking:
Perceive the design
And you will encounter Him
Image by Mike Airhart
Follow me on Twitter or Facebook
If you enjoyed this post, please share it:
Ah, just thinking of nature makes me , lack of a better word, high! When I am submerged into what God created for us I seem to have no worries and the only thing that is real are the sounds, scents, and sights that surround me. I feel so peaceful I cannot describe it! It is like I am so overwhelmed with happiness and gratitude and love for him that I just feel like crying! Maybe that is me feeling the presence of God! I will always cherish it, I know that!
I feel excited that God is there sharing this incredible experience with me and I give thanks.
Also, thank you Father for sharing your meditation. It is wonderful!
Jasmin
Jasmin,
“Submerged…no worries…sounds…scents…sights…peaceful…overwhelmed…happiness…gratitude…love” Those are all great words you used to describe your experience in nature. The Lord not only speaks to us there, but He allows us to experience His presence in creation. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Peace!
In many ways, you and I are very different. I’m an introvert by nature, and I majored in math in college.
But at the soul level, I think all of us have the same needs. We want to stay connected to God and align ourselves with His plan. One of the easiest ways for me to do this is to spend time in nature appreciating His creation. I find it very comforting to walk in the woods or stare at a starry sky or go to Westerly at sunset!
Thanks for reminding me to spend time attending to my soul in this way. It’s too easy to forget this when we are busy with the daily grind and all the distractions of this world.
JFP,
Do you know that Pope Benedict just recently spoke about “looking up to the stars” and how it can bring us God’s peace?
I would never have majored in math! God bless you!
You’re awesome, Fr. Mike! That whole post put a smile on my face and just at a moment I needed one… especially the “I feel like me” comment! Lol
I actually went out for a walk yesterday for about a hour and a half. I started by praying the Rosary and then it started to rain. And I didn’t even care, I just let myself get soaked, and in so doing, my mind are heart were untuned to Him — in the smells, the sounds, the feeling of the drops of rain…. it was great!
As always, thank you for making His Light and Love shown in what you share of yourself. Just as Creation points to its Creator, so too, do your thoughts point to the One you’re contemplating. This was a blessing to read! Thanks again.
Lindsay,
I love getting caught in the rain when I’m out for a run. It’s a great feeling! Thanks, as always, for reading and commenting.
Peace!
Another math major here – if I had known about the algebra, I could have tutored you.
Beautiful post – made me feel that I am at the beach even though I am many miles inland today. I get that feeling walking beaches in Narragansett, especially when I have walked all the way to the river, then turn around and look to sea and observe the beauty of the ocean, and know there is a God, and how grateful I am to have that opportunity to commune with nature and God. Your post was the best medicine of the day.
Claire,
The irony is that I did have a tutor, and I still failed! Aren’t the beaches a great place for us to encounter the Lord?
Peace!
Very Franciscan, Fr. Najim! Is your postulancy over yet! It is a very beautiful meditation! Being near the ocean, seeing all the beautiful and different animals that there are, and just being aware of our natural surroundings, how can one not come to faith in our Loving Creator!
Thanks, Fr. Juniper! Yes, my postulancy is over. And yours? : )
I can remember lying in bed pondering eternity but I was a teenager at the time. No wonder you are so far ahead of me spiritually!!I think where I see God in nature is right outside the kitchen window, the colors of nature are vivid in all seasons and I marvel, especially at the shades of green. God is so good and He has blessed us with such beauty. Ok, now what’s with the PIPE!!
Luv, Mom
I have always found the seashore my best place to experience God and this past Sunday was no exception. I felt blessed being able to participate in a retreat at Cohasset led by your friend Fr. Brian Smith. His awesome presentation of “stepping outside our comfort zones” spoke to my heart more than ever this day as I sat on a rock by the seashore. Contemplating the beauty God had placed all around me, I truly felt his presence, gently calling me to walk with him and urge those around me to do the same.
Thanks, Fr. Mike, for letting me share this. Thanks, Fr. Brian, for everything!
I pray that my brother-in-law, an enthusiast and nature lover extraordinaire, would find God in nature. So far his relationship with God is one of resentment, pride and just plane hatred. I often wonder how it is that he can not see God’s hand in all the beauty He has created when he is out cayaking in the ocean next to the dolphins, or camping out in the mountains. Maybe one day it will click. That is my prayer for him. Thanks for your beautiful reflections Fr Mike.
I can finally relate to the “I feel like me.” Finally the past few years I have taken time to get to know me. The me no one sees that I kept hidden from the world. I can finally say that statement and mean it.
My favorite place to go contemplate God is near a lake on the dock just watching the water. I grew up near one. Now I live no where near one without a drive.
I finally caved and decided to visit you, Friar Michael. I’m glad I did.
I love this post, especially the “I feel like me” moment. There have been many times when I have said or thought that very thing… and my heart sank like a stone. I don’t like me very much. I’m learning to get over that.
Still, it’s a fine thing to accept that “I feel like me”, and it’s something, God willing, that I will somehow, some way, learn to do. Thankfully he loves me more than I do. That’s a start.