God in the countryside!

Yesterday I finally got around to doing something I had planned to do on my time of sabbath; I got in the car and drove out into the countryside. I ended up going not more than 20 minutes from home! What a beautiful part of Canada we live in; we are so blessed and on this particular day I appreciated that blessing all the more.

I drove along the roads, ventured into a dairy farm and stopped to capture images of horses grazing; I looked into the muddy waters of the Humber River and I hiked the trails of one of the local conservation areas. In all of that I experienced the presence of God through all of my senses: what I saw, heard, smelled and felt. There was a gentle breeze; the sun was shining; the air was clear; there was little traffic; often there was only silence. No distractions; what a privilege to experience the wonder and awe of a God!

I stopped and asked a farmer if I could photograph his barn and his cows. He was most hospitable and welcoming, so willing to share his story and his passion for dairy farming. He'd been on this farm since he was born in 1921; his family had been among the first settlers in King township. It was time to open the gate and let the cows out to pasture. They could obviously sense that there a stranger in their midst; their stare spoke volumes; "who are you and what are you doing?" The herd for the most part, though, just kept going; they moved together, one following the other. I wondered if there wasn't a lesson there in what community should be all about!

Horses are so majestic as they stand so confidently. I enjoyed the moments I spent at this particular stop on my journey. I watched them graze; I saw a colt go up and start nursing from his mother; some of them lay on the ground and others ran through the field. They came right up to the fence wanting to become friends; what an example of trust! Again something we can learn more about as human beings!

Finally, I enjoyed my walk through one of the wooded conservation areas. The path went along through the forest; there was a boardwalk through the marshy area; the trail went through tall grass. There were birds, flying insects, flowers, flowing water, logs from fallen trees, fungus growing out of the side of those logs, moss, large ferns and much more to see, hear and simply enjoy. There was a blue heron that landed not far from where I was standing; the sounds of red winged black birds; colourful dragonflies; a butterfly; all intricate creatures that show the glory, mystery and wonder of God.

What struck me as I drove back home is how much of this countryside is being lost to development whether residential, industrial or for business centers. That's sad and one day we will regret it. Where is all of our green space going? What will we do when there isn't any left? What's to become of the farmland? Where will the cows and horses graze, if in fact there are any near by at all? And all in the name of progress? Is it really progress? I personally think too much is being lost to call it progress!

It was relatively easy to see God in the countryside. Next week I have to head into downtown Toronto. I am going to do the same exercise there; be attentive and aware of the presence of God and where possible capture it through the lens of my camera. I don't think it will be all that difficult there either! I look forward to sharing those images with you too.