While sitting on the patio this summer, I have had the opportunity to listen, watch, and think about the Creation story and what it really means to me.

In Chapter 1 of Genesis, verse 3,  God says, "Let there be light."  I notice the brilliant colors of the early morning sunrise, the long shadows created as the sun comes up over the barn, and the gleaming crystals of dew on the grass.  Depending on the cloud cover, I think of what the old timers say:  "Red sky at morning, sailors take warning!"

And in verse 5, "...and the darkness he called 'night.'"  By now, the sun has halfway circled the earth and, on many evenings, beautiful, vivid colors in the sky are observed.  Sometimes evening clouds gather, lightning flashes, and I wonder how all of this energy can possibly be harnessed!  Then again, I think of  the conclusion of the old timers' saying:  "Red sky at night, sailors delight!"

In verse 11, God says, "Let the land produce vegetation, seed-bearing plants and trees ...".  I notice the peaches on the tree changing color each day and the corn in the fields getting taller.  I'm reminded of what I used to tell my kids:  "Let's go out and listen to the corn grow!"  (This idea was never a big hit, I might add.)

In verse 14, God says, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night...".  Whenever I get a chance, I point out the big dipper and the north star in the northern sky to kids, as well as adults.  It seems easier to locate these marvels in the openness of the country sky.

Verses 20-23 record God saying, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky."  From my chair on the patio, I observe doves zooming down the lane, hummingbirds zipping around the flowers and feeders, a jenny wren scolding me, barn swallows swooping down from the barn, gathering bugs, and a pair of quail (bob whites) engaging in the most beautiful conversation that only they understand!

In verse 24, God says, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds:..."  I watch the honey bees gathering pollen, rabbits darting everywhere, deer grazing within 100 feet of the house, and the neighbor's donkey braying in the early morning.

Finally, verse 27 tells us, "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."  We have been blessed with eight grandkids who find lots of activity on the farm.  They run from the playhouse to the hayloft in the barn where they build tunnels with bales of straw.  They play baseball on the ball diamond and sometimes just walk along a path, surrounded by standing corn and beans, and observe nature up close.

I encourage you to reach for your Bible and read Chapter 1 of Genesis and see how it relates God's creation to you.  "And God saw that it was good," and I do, too!

Charlotte and I invite any of you to join us some evening or early morning to observe the sights and sounds that God has created for all of us to enjoy.  Give us a call!

Roger Dunham

Elder