Crazy Creation

How many are your works, Lord!
In wisdom you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures. (Psalm 104:24 NIV)

I'm back! I've been a little slack on the devotions in the last 2 or 3 weeks, but I've had a lot going on... all good stuff though. This last week has been all about family. Two of my sisters came up from Florida for a couple of days for my son's college graduation. Then there was the graduation and a celebration for that. The next morning we headed out for a week long vacation on the North Carolina coast. Even Richard was with us for much of this family time. He watched Kevin graduate by live feed and texted me his comments as we watched. He joined our celebration through a Skype video call and frequently Skyped or called during our week at the beach.

Each year since her birth we have taken my 3-year-old granddaughter to the beach with us and she loves it. She talks to the ocean as if it were a living, breathing being, telling it she loves it and to please not be so rough with its waves. She thanked it for the beautiful shells and told it good night each night and good morning each morning. She was emotional as we took our last beach walk and told the ocean goodbye.

Cecelia got a kick out of the pelicans and the jelly fish and the crabs that were present in abundance this trip. She commented to me that, "God makes some crazy things!" Yes he does! Jelly fish, crabs and pelicans do look a little strange. And what about kangaroos and elephants and platypusses? Zebras, baboons and penguins? Butterflies, fireflies and lady bugs? And then there are the really crazy looking things we can find in the midst of the jungle and in the depths of the ocean.

The variety of life in God's creation is astounding! Estimates of the number of different animal species on earth range from 10 million to 100 million. About 1.8 million have been given scientific names. I wonder how many Adam got around to naming when God gave him the task? No wonder people had to live hundreds of years back then! ;)

God's creation is indeed "crazy." You don't have to go to the beach or into a jungle to find them. Pay attention today. Look around you. Examine a busy ant or listen to a bird sing. Take time to take a walk and look at God's creation. If you just can't get outdoors today, maybe just pay some extra attention to how God made your family or co-workers... they can be pretty crazy and amazing too!

Creator God,
Thank you for this crazy, asounding, amazing creation! Help us to appreciate it more and be good stewards of it. Help us to see you in all your have made. Amen.

Joys: Kevin's graduation; a visit from my sisters even though it was very short; family vacations; time away from routines