April 18, 2008 Nature is a Love Note from God

Dear E-pistle subscriber,

There’s something out there called SAD – “Seasonal Affective Disorder” whereby some people during the winter months get the general symptoms of depression, such as unusual fatigue, overeating, low mood, and lethargy.

The last couple days I wonder if anyone has thought to name the opposite dynamic – call it SUNNY? – whereby people on gorgeous days like today get giddy, resolve to get into bathing suit shape, are on a natural high, receive lots of raw energy from who-knows-where.

On stunningly beautiful days like today, with spring in the air all around, I am reminded of the line in Eucharistic Prayer B that starts out, “We thank you God, for the goodness and love you have made known to us in creation. . .”

That prayer is a reminder that the first way God let us know of his goodness and love – the first love note God ever wrote humanity – was creation itself.

Gorgeous spring days like today are a love note from God.

The trick is, with nature or any other gift from God (like money, power, sex, hobbies, work, success, relationships) to not fall in love with the love note, but to let the love note serve its intended purpose, which is to remind us of the love the author of the note has for us!

In other words, creation/nature – like all other gifts from God – is meant to act as a drawing string – something that pulls us toward God.

That’s why I like to say, whenever I see a gorgeous sunset, “wow . . . God sure can paint!”

So – whether you’re going to the Flower and Garden Show this weekend, or tooling around in the garden, or just rolling down your car windows and enjoying the fresh, spring air – remember to give God the glory.

See you Sunday,

Fr. John