‘What is this life, if full of care
We do not have time to stop and stare? –
No time to stand beneath the boughs,
And stare as long as sheep and cows:’
These lines from William Henry Davies poem ‘Leisure’ resonates with many. On Bank Holiday Monday, my husband and I set off to Chipping Camden in the Cotswolds and walked up from the village along the Cotswold way to Dover’s Hill and descended into the neighbouring Camden wood. It was a walk we have undertaken before on a very hot August Bank Holiday weekend during 2019. This time we were rewarded with a fragrant spectacle of bluebells carpeting the woods in all directions. The accompanying birdsong, and particularly that of a woodpecker, provided us with a new experience on the walk.
Taking time out to stop and stare and marvel at God’s creation is so important. Our lives are full of care and sometimes we can feel overwhelmed with life and the tasks before us. Parden the pun, but sometimes it is hard to see the wood for the trees in life and we need to take stock and see the bigger picture.
Each individual bluebell stem is made up of individual bell-shaped flowers. When combined together and viewed as a whole we see the bigger picture - each individual flower contributes to the stunning blue carpet on the woodland floor. To marvel and not take for granted the many wonders of creation is such a renewing experience. During the first long lockdown of 2020 many people had time to ‘stop and stare’ as they took time out exercising in their gardens, parks and local pathways. During that period, I took time to photograph the many beauties of nature surrounding me as the seasons changed. Although we would not wish to return to full lockdowns again, particularly given the mental and economic difficulties it created, there are many aspects which were beneficial - including taking time to stop, appreciate nature and protect the earth which God has created.
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
You have made them a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honor.
You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
you put everything under their feet:
all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild,
the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
LORD, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Psalm 8:3-9
Creator God,
Create in us a desire to stop and marvel at the many wonders of your creation - to take time to engage with you as we find peace, tranquillity and strength from all you have provided. Forgive us when we take your creation for granted and enable us to be good stewards of the world you have given us.
Amen
Cathryn Clarke