Our family took a nature walk today. It was one of those spontaneous things. You look outside, see the beautiful blue sky and the autumn color, and feel the need to take advantage of such moments. So we put the books down, made a picnic lunch and headed to McDowell Nature Preserve on Lake Wylie.
McDowell Park as I often call it, is a place with winding forest filled paths and trails, coves and small beaches, ravines and hills all at the edge of Lake Wylie. I love going there. After driving the main road inside the Nature Preserve, I feel like I'm in the North Carolina mountains and not in a big city. It is especially beautiful in early November. In years past we have visited the first weekend in November, but we had not done this in several years. So I was very happy to be going back on such a beautiful day.
I was not disappointed either. As we drove down to the waterfront the trees were gorgeous! The sunlight was hitting the leaves perfectly and everywhere it seemed like an explosion of color. Good thing my husband was driving.
There is something wonderful about the waterfront, fall color and cloudless blue skies. All mixed together it shouts of God's magnificent glory. I kept thinking, "Lord, You do all things well."
So we had our picnic at the waterfront.
And our nature walk started....
We walked down colorful paths.
Explored.
Climbed hills.
Took photos.
Walked over speckled leaves and protruding tree roots.
Stopped to look up at the sunlight through the canvas of color above us.
Sat a spell.
Went down to the water's edge.
Stopped to take another photo.
Smiled because God is so good.
Praised God for his workmanship.
The most wonderful surprise actually of all was something that our 6 year old son found laying on the ground all by itself. Other leaves were around, but this particular leaf was in plain view. Our son saw it immediately and cried out in excitement.
A heart! I found a heart!
I was puzzled but knew it had to be something exciting.
When I saw it, I was floored.
We had just gotten started on our walk when he found this little precious gift.
One he could claim as his own. I've never in my life seen something quite so unique in a leaf.
I was praising God that He allowed our little boy to find such a gift.
It was a heart in the middle of a Maple leaf.
"God made this for me," Philip said.
I agreed. I was so excited for him. That small thing spoke volumes to my 6 year old.
Love indeed is all around. Even when you don't expect it. God is speaking to all of us. Sometimes it only takes an open heart to see what is on the ground in front of us.
He does all things well.
"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17
We are pressing the leaves we found today. And the leaf with the heart has already been shown to Grandmom and Granddad and a few people in the retirement community this afternoon. Oh the sweet reactions on those precious people's faces.
When you are excited about something God has done, you just want to share it.
