Where is your Paradise?
Don’t you just love that Expedia commercial?
I have walked a
thousand coastlines along the shores of a dozen seas, blistered my feet on the
sun baked sand of a thousand beaches, fleshed seared, thirst unquenched I
searched and searched, finally found this Paradise, and you friend what brought
you here?
Waterton Park is a Paradise, Santa Barbara is a paradise,
Disneyland is a paradise, for those who choose to live off the grid, that is
paradise (no modern conveniences). It all depends on one’s perspective.
The word paradise is associated with heaven the ultimate
abode of the just. The first garden is also referred to as paradise.
Whatever we call it, there is a sense of longing at one time
or another for a little piece of paradise. It can be as simple as having an over extended
bubble bath surrounded by candles and soft music, or a quiet walk along a water’s
edge.
The Bible tells us in Psalm 19 that God’s glory is on tour
in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Madame Day holds classes
every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening. Their words aren’t heard,
their voices aren’t recorded, but their silence fills the earth; unspoken truth
is spoken everywhere. (MSG)
The world is a beautiful place offering us magnificent wonder.
Nature produces its own language from the great harmony in the rustling leaves
swaying in the wind to the beautiful chords of the quiet stream rippling over
the rocks.
It may not be necessary to walk a thousand coastlines to
find your paradise. You may find it in a multitude of small delights, even in
your own backyard. One can experience strength by just contemplating the beauty
of their surroundings.
We cannot limit our view of Paradise on earth to the beauty
of white sand beaches, exotic vegetation and the aqua seas.
Allow your spirit to
find warmth in the snow as it kisses the trees and the cold night air blankets
them in a spectacular view of hora frost glistening-like diamonds in the sun.
Enjoy the smell of the earth as you watch the first sign of
new growth in early spring. Take time to smell the lilacs, they don’t stay
around too long.
The long dusks of
summer allow us to walk through scents of cut grass, fresh flowers and gardens
of growing things, and drinking in the beauty of the sunset. The earth is alive
with a new population of migrants returning to stock up on the abundant supply
of food.
Has anyone mastered a painting of the true colors of fall? What
we would miss if we didn’t live in a world with Octobers. It is kind of like
the grand finale of nature’s production.
Whatever season of the soul or nature that you are in, take
a moment to reflect. Your paradise is closer than you think. Breathe in the
beautiful fragrance of God’s love, meditate, relax. There are quiet streams,
green pastures and an abundance of all that is good.
