Dear friends,
Summertime is definitely my favorite time of the year. The days feel longer, we
have warm weather outside and it surely rains a lot less. I often ask myself why I like
this type of weather so much…maybe because I grew up near the equator or maybe
being under the sun invigorates me with energy. This year, I have decided to be more
intentional about having an outdoor hobby to enjoy with friends and family. My friend
Leslie is a huge fan of paddle boarding, she does this all year around, even when the
weather is cold. I found out that you can do this if you wear special suits that keep you
warm.
Leslie invited me to paddle board with her every week until the end of the
summer. In the beginning, I was a little hesitant because I did not know how to
maintain balance on a board, but I was looking for a hobby and this could be it. We
decided to go to Stone Mountain Lake in the early morning, the sun was just starting to
rise. We assembled the boards and equipment and we headed into the water. I had to
put my bare feet in the cold water! If I were still sleepy from having to wake up so early, by that point I was definitely awake (no caffeine needed).
Once I master keeping my balance on the board, it is all about enjoying the
view. I found myself surrounded by water and trees, under a blue sky, and breathing
fresh air. I also saw animals getting close to the water in search of food. There was no
doubt in my mind that God’s creation is absolutely beautiful. At that moment, Psalm 8
came to my mind, it says: “ LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the
earth!... When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the
stars, which you have set in place…all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.”
Since the beginning of time, God was intentional in creating a space that
would become the home of many living plants and creatures, including us humans. In
our daily lives, as we rush from one activity to another, often being frustrated with the
amount of time it takes us to get to places, it is good for our spirit to stop and observe
the beauty of our “home.” Let us take a moment to admire our Creator and be amazed
by the beauty of His creation.
Peace,
Linda Jimenez-Abrams
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