Children Come to Me

White-tail deer fawn, Spring Branch, TX

Do you see the child in yourself? Jesus does.

I was blessed by having outstanding parents, parents that would give their lives for me, and in many ways actually did. As such, when I look back to my life as a child, I can still remember the complete trust I had in mom and dad. The fawn in this picture, hiding under the leaves where its mama put it, reminds me of the trust I had as a child in my parent’s unconditional love.

This world; however, with its hardships and struggles, can strip us of trust. At times, it may even seem, that life is a one-person struggle against the world. Jesus, through the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, can heal our wounds, can restore our trust in His Father, and our Father. A Father that loves us completely and unconditionally. Ask the Holy Spirit for healing. Ask the Holy Spirit to allow you to see the trusting child in yourself. Begin trusting in God, your heavenly Father. Allow Him to teach you how to trust again and how to love the way we are meant to love.

Peace be with you.

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #ChildrenCometoMe

How the Flowers Grow

Moss Rose, Spring Branch, TX

After my mother died, my wife and I took some of the moss roses that mom loved and transplanted them into our yard in Texas. The roses initially flourished but then the deer noticed them; and between the deer and the Texas heat, we have not seen a moss rose in our yard for years. Two weeks ago I looked down at the planter, where the moss roses used to be, and saw this beautiful yellow moss rose. I thought during this rather turbulent time, this little yellow rose was a good reminder of what Jesus said about faith, God’s love of flowers, God’s unending love for us and our need to keep our eyes on the things of heaven.

Jesus said, “Notice how the flowers grow. They do not toil or spin. But I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of them. If God so clothes the grass in the field that grows today and is thrown into the oven tomorrow, will he not much more provide for you, O you of little faith? As for you, do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not worry anymore. All the nations of the world seek for these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these other things will be given you besides. Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach nor moth destroy. For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be. ~ Luke 12:27-34

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #HowTheFlowersGrow

A Place for You

Eastern Screech Owl, Spring Branch, TX

Christians are always moving, always becoming, always keeping their eyes on Jesus, being transformed by the Holy Spirit until the day they rest in their heavenly home.

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #APlaceforYou

I was ill

Male and female Northern Cardinals, Spring Branch, TX

Her feathers had fallen off her head, her beak was twisted; this female cardinal was ill. Then I spotted a male cardinal peering around the leaves looking at the sick cardinal. The scene made me think of Jesus’s challenge to each of us.

Jesus said, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” ~ Matthew 25:35-36

Lord, give us the grace to not just look at those in need, but to come to their rescue with love in action (charity). Amen

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #IwasIll

Light of the World

Sunset, Spring Branch, TX

Come Holy Spirit, Come! Illuminate our hearts with the light of love which is Jesus Christ himself.

Amen

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #LightoftheWorld

Eyes Opened

Greater Roadrunner, Spring Branch, TX

He has risen! He is alive! Do we recognize him? In our hearts? In our lives?

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #EyesOpened

For God so Loved

wildflowers on Willow City Loop, Texas with statue of Pieta from chapel in Carcassone, France

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #ForGodsoLoved

Hallelujah Is Our Song

Faith, Hope and Love - A Flower’s Story

Blue Bonnets on island in Guadalupe River, Spring Branch, TX USA

It was by God’s grace that I was created, during this time, on this tiny island, surrounded by raging water.

It was by Faith that my roots went deep into the soil to prevent the current from washing me away.

It was through hope, a hope that one day I would become all God wanted me to be, that my leaves shot up to kiss the sun.

It is with love that my flowers bloom radiating God’s love to all that see me.

In these times when many of us feel we are surrounded by raging water let us remember St. Paul’s famous words to the Church in Corinth that was also surrounded by raging waters, “So faith, hope and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” - 1 Corinthians 13:13

Come and drink

Northern Mockingbird drinking water, Pedernales Falls State Park, TX USA

Jesus stood up and exclaimed, “Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink.” ~ John 7:37

What do you thirst for? Jesus is thirsting for your love. Are you thirsting for his love?

“I do not know whose thirst is greater, his or mine for him.” ~ St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, letter 1980

If you wish to follow meditations by St. Mother Teresa on her thirst for God and Jesus’s infinite thirst for us, I suggest the book “I Thirst – 40 days with Mother Teresa” by Joseph Langford, M.C.

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #ComeandDrink

Shadow of Your Wings

Yellow Tiger-Swallowtail Butterfly, Los Maples State Park, TX USA

You indeed are my savior,

and in the shadow of your wings I shout for joy.

~ Psalm 63: 8

Nothing is Small

Grand Tetons, Wyoming, USA

Remember that nothing is small in the eyes of God. Do all that you do with love. ~ St. Therese of Lisieux, the little flower

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #NothingisSmall #TheLittleFlower

Fountain of Mercy

Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone National Park, USA

“I am turning to you, the fountain of mercy; I am hurrying to you to be healed; I am taking refuge under your protection. I am longing to meet you, not as my Judge but as my Savior. Lord, I am not ashamed to show you my wounds. Only you know how many and how serious my sins are, and though they could make me fear for my salvation, I am putting my hope in your mercies, which are beyond count. Look on me with mercy, then, Lord Jesus Christ, eternal King, God and man, crucified for our sake. I am putting my trust in you, the fountain that will never stop flowing with merciful love: hear me and forgive my sins and weaknesses.” ~ St. Ambrose of Millan, 340 AD - 397 AD

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #FountainofMercy

Beauty Ever Ancient

Grand Tetons, Wyoming, USA

“O Beauty ever ancient, ever new, late have I loved you! You were within me, but I was outside, and it was there that I searched for you. In my unloveliness I plunged into the lovely things, which you created. You were with me, but I was not with you. Created things kept me from you; yet if they had not been in you, they would not have been at all. You called, you shouted, and you broke through my deafness. You flashed, you shone, and you dispelled my blindness. You
breathed your fragrance on me; I drew in breath and now I pant for you. I have tasted you, now I hunger and thirst for more. You touched me, and I burned for your peace.” ~  The Confessions of St. Augustine, St. Augustine of Hippo, 354 – 430 AD

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #BeautyEverAncient

Fear Not

Yellowstone National Park

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff comfort me.

~ Psalm 23:4

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #FearNot

Fire Quenching Love

Firehole River, Yellowstone National Park

Love quenches the fires of bitterness, envy and hate.  Let us follow Christ’s example and love and pray for those that oppose us and might even hate us (see Matthew 5:44 and Luke 23:34).

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #FireQuenchingLove

Leap for Joy

Black-bellied whistling duck and ducklings, Galveston, TX

Aren’t babies just wonderful!  This duckling’s leap for joy reminds me of the passage in the bible where John the Baptist leaped for joy at the sound of the pregnant Virgin Mary’s voice.

Luke 1:44:  Elizabeth, John the Baptist’s mother, said, “For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the infant in my womb leaped for joy.”

May God bless mothers, fathers and babies.

#anaturewalk #WalkwithGod #LeapforJoy

Follow His Light

Boardwalk Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ~ John 8:12   As we enter into the year 2020, many of us will have challenging paths to follow and decisions to make, let us follow our Lord Jesus Christ in all we do so that our path will be illuminated by his light. 

#anaturewalk #AimHighWalkwithGod #FollowHisLight

Close to the Heart

Red Rocks of Roxborough State Park, Colorado with insert of Statue of St. Mary and the child Jesus from All Souls Catholic Church, Englewood, CO

Have you ever been this close to God?  This is how close God desires to be with you.

Mary, mother of Jesus, mother of God, show us how to hold Jesus close to our hearts. Amen

#anaturewalk #AimHighWalkwithGod #ClosetotheHeart

The Eyes of Christmas

Live Oak forest, Avery Island, Louisiana with insert from mosaic from Basilica of our Lady of the Rosary, Lourdes, France

Look into the eyes of Mary and Joseph,

        the shepherds and saints,

        the angels and wise men.

Their eyes reflect humility and love,

        awe and wonder,

        thanks and praise.

Lord, as we prepare our hearts for your coming this Christmas, help us find the humility and love, awe and wonder, thanks and praise of those that celebrated the first Christmas.

Mary, mother of God, pray with us that we may seek and find your son, Jesus, in a new and profound
way this Christmas.

Amen

#anaturewalk #AimHighWalkwithGod #EyesofChristmas