Welcome to late spring, that lovely bit of time that follows Memorial Day but is before schools let out for the summer. This time of the year in Cape May County is close to my favorite on the calendar – here where we live surrounded by the beauty of so much that God has designed in His glorious mind to share with us!
I’m thinking of the furry and feathered contents of the Cape May County Zoo (I’m less keen on the reptiles). All of the amazingly different, fun, strange, odd, sweet, fearsome and/or cute animals that are there for our observation. This zoo holds just a tiny portion of the copious critters that God has created to roam the world.
And, of course, after the critters then I consider the varieties of fish in the ocean and bay that surround us and beyond to the entire world’s lakes and rivers. What an amazing God we have who loves us so much that He invites us to share in the many pleasures of His creation.
Within a few hours’ ride from here we can visit mountains with blooming trees and pines, lakes and rivers galore, valleys, farming areas with cattle and sheep or filled with flowers, wheat or corn. Here in the Cape we have access to countless of these natural wonders God has blessed us with for our pleasure.
After traveling through the western national parks this year taking in the beauty of the deserts, canyons, plains and mountains, I now view Cape May County through eyes that see God’s gifts surrounding us every day.
This in-between time following Memorial Day is an excellent opportunity to learn about the wonders of our area and its history before we get busy with our own guests. We might consider visiting the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor to learn more about God’s marvels living in and using our wetlands, or possibly the Cape May Science Center to better understand horseshoe crabs and butterfly migration. How about a day at the Cape May Bird Observatory enjoying God’s diverse bird species, or joining a MAC tour.
We have museums throughout the county explaining our history and how this area was used by many different peoples for fishing and hunting, agriculture and tourism, and they are ready to share their knowledge of how those before us and even now earn their living from both the land and sea here in the Cape.
I see the work of God in everything that surrounds me and I stand ever amazed at His almighty vision for this Earth and us, the inhabitants He has created. I believe if we could see through His eyes what the original plan for us was before the fall of Adam every soul on Earth would bow to His glory.
In Romans 1:20 Paul tells us, “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”
If each of us would look at our world with new eyes to see, we might view with renewed excitement all the wonderful works God has done and then know in our hearts He deserves our praise and honor and love.
What a privilege it is to write about the glory of my Father God, what He has done for me, what He has provided for all of us, His work in creation and His great love for His children.
I also consider what great sorrow fills His heart as we wander about listening to our own song instead of the one He created just for us. We can miss so much of God’s glory waiting for Him to convince us to join His Kingdom – but please know that God doesn’t drag anyone into the Kingdom – we can only enter one way, and that is through Jesus His Son. All people who wish to remain as they are will be left to their own devices. I would not trade the life I now live for anything if I had to go back to not knowing and being obedient to the Glorious Father who loves me beyond any love I could have imagined.
To paraphrase a famous poem, “Oh my Lord God how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. I love thee to the depth and breadth and height my soul can reach.” I thank God for showing Himself to everyone so that no one has an excuse as to why they are not His child.
Next time you are out in nature purposely look for the Father, for He is there.
Editor’s note: Amy Patsch writes from Ocean City. Email her at writerGoodGod@gmail.com.
