Sabbath Time

As the sun gradually rises above the tin roof houses of the dwelling places on the island, in the distance I can hear the rhythmic melody of the ocean waves as they methodically touch the shore only to quickly recede back into the large brownish blue, watery abyss. My heart and mind seem one with the beauty and pulse of the delightful scenery. Where else can one retreat to become one with nature; to become one with God?

An old buck quietly walks up to the bottom of the deck stairs in which I softly sit enjoying the taste and fragrance of a cheap cigar. The light bounces off his dull but smooth hide, bringing forth vibrant colors of yellow and orange that appear to burst out of his brownish tan coat. It is late July and his antlers are covered in soft velvet; a sign of new growth and maturation reminding me of another year in the cycle of life. The deer sniffs at the whiffs of smoke that gradually float on the air past his majestic stance. Perhaps he wonders what this new and exotic aroma is that intrigues his senses. With a quick snort he stares up at me with his large brown eyes, most likely thinking a meal of corn chips is soon to come his way.

Never have I felt so close to God as I do in this still moment. It suddenly strikes me how all of God’s creation is inner woven and one. The smell of the salt air, the fragrance of the leaves and trees, the sweet odor of decomposing compost of pine straw all combine to glorify God’s grand creation. The morning sun peaks through the trees and vegetation lighting the land with a greenish brown hue of striking color and life.

The birds chirp their high-pitched song as crickets rub their fine and soft wings against their rough legs. I sit still listening to natures orchestra play its God inspired music. A spider hangs from his thinly woven web, looking over what must surely appear to him as a vast and endless land.

This is my Sabbath. A time to relax, enjoy family and the laid back lifestyle of island life. Oh to be able to bottle this moment up and take it back with me into the noisy, business of the daily grind. But God is all around us, even in the rush of the city. God is not only found in the beauty of this island habitat, but in all life as well. All we have to do is stop and appreciate the natural beauty of God’s creation that is found throughout earth, our island home. His creative touch may be nothing more than a bright little flower that has forced its way up between a piece of cracked concrete sidewalk, or a quaint garden in the middle of the urban sprawl. Yet God is found everywhere. All we have to do is look.