Embracing all creations

“He made you so you could share in his creation, could love and laugh

and know Him.”

-- TED GRIFFEN

Every day, I am amazed at how remarkable God’s creation is and how

many different ways he showers the world with his magnificence. Each

morning this week, I woke to a new day of changing weather, and each

afternoon I enjoyed a changing sky before darkness settled in for the

night.

Last week, I greeted each morning by looking out a different

window at a beautiful world of snow. I went skiing with family, and

everywhere I faced, I felt that I was looking at one creative

masterpiece after another.

We left early in the morning to fly to our ski destination. I was

tired, but I so enjoyed the people I was sitting next to on the

plane, as well as the ever-changing views. At first, I could see the

ocean out the window, and before long I saw desert lands. Finally we

came to a landscape blanketed in snow.

The first morning there, we rode a chair lift that took us to

almost 12,000 feet. It was a clear day, and it seemed like I could

see forever. In every direction, I saw something spectacular,

beautiful and, in many cases, breath-taking. The crisp colors of the

piercing blue skies, pure white clouds and dark green trees were so

vivid, I thought it was because of the lenses in my goggles. When I

took them off, it was no less dramatic, but I had to put them back on

quickly because of the intensity of the light.

One morning before going out to ski, I read a Psalm that includes

the words, “Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens;

your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is

like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You

care for people and animals alike, O Lord. How precious is your

unfailing love, O God!”

I thought about the Psalm throughout the day because it seemed to

fit what I was experiencing.

God’s creativity in nature is certainly something to marvel at,

but so is his artistry in the uniqueness of every boy and girl, every

man and woman.

I enjoyed talking with people of all ages on the chair lifts and

around the ski village. Whether they were children, ski instructors

or snowboarders, I found that the people were as enjoyable and

diverse as the scenery.

I had fun learning about different hobbies and sports from people

who lived in New York, Florida, Montana, Mississippi and Michigan. I

also learned about the political and geographical climates of

Argentina and New Zealand by students who were working there.

There was never a dull moment or a person I didn’t enjoying

learning from and about. Each one was as unique as the snowflakes

that gently fell on us.

It was a special treat to watch children’s excitement in being and

in playing in the snow, and I laughed right along with many of them

in their sheer glee at being alive.

God’s creation, like his love, is never-ending.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident. She may be

reached by e-mail at cindy@onthegrow.com or through the mail at P.O.

Box 6140-No. 505, Newport Beach, CA 92658.