book – Reflections of God

It’s a cold brisk night though sadly no snow. 2024 is a strange winter for the northlands. Last year at this time I was struggling to hoist the shovel over the 4-foot banks of the pathways. ​ Each night, closer to midnight than to 11 pm, I venture out with my dog Oliver, so he can do his thing before bed. I hesitate in opening the door, I look at him and say “Let’s see what God has for us tonight.” He’s a smart dog but I don’t think he catches the gist of it and just gives me an impatient look questioning why I haven’t opened that door yet. I delay because I love that sense of wonder…Will there finally be snow? Will the stars be out? And the moon? Or will it all be clouded over? We don’t stay out long but it is enough time to enjoy the majesty of the God who created me. Tonight the ground was packed hard, grass was dead, and patches of dirt soon to be mud when the weather warms greeted me. I shine the beacon from my flashlight and smile. What could have been an ordinary winter ground had turned into thousands of tiny little reflections. It looked as if God had shaken glitter all over the lawn. How can you not be in awe of a God who cares so much for you that He glitters the lawn to make you smile? And then I look up. The moon is hiding behind some trees, but I find it. The stars are radiant against the black sky. And once again I smile in appreciation of my Creator whose mind I cannot fathom. I kind of feel sorry for Oliver because his nose is to the ground sniffing for whatever animals have crossed his path. He doesn’t look up to see the delights in the sky. But then maybe he feels sorry for me that I can’t explore all the scents produced by creatures he may never meet but knows in his unique way. So now you may wonder what happens when the door opens, and the clouds hide the lights in the sky and glitter is not sprinkled on my lawn? I walk out and smile because I know that behind those clouds, my stars and moon are still shining. And I know behind the millions of stars and galaxies is my Creator God! This is a comfort for it reminds me when things in my life aren’t going how I want and I wonder where God is, I can reach back in the recesses of my mind to the cloudy nights remembering my Loving God is always there. He may be blocked by circumstances for a time, but I am reassured of His love because He never leaves me or forsakes me. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV