The Best Remedy
In the Diary of Anne Frank Anne writes, “The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.” I can’t say that I was afraid, lonely or unhappy before coming to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan but being alone in nature this past week has certainly been uplifting for me. For the past six days I have been here soaking in the magnificent beauty of God’s Creation.
I saw a shirt recently that had had a saying Anne Frank would have approved of; it said “Nature is good for the soul.” I truly believe that this is exactly as God intended it to be. For humans “the simple beauty of nature” is meant to be therapeutic. Things like sunrises, sunsets, crashing waves, singing birds, autumn foliage, and waterfalls can bring peace and tranquility to the soul. They can lift one’s spirits and move a person to worship the One responsible for these precious gifts.
I’ve included two images from this past week that have special meaning to me. While photographing the reflections above Bond Falls and the waterfall on Miner’s Beach in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore I experienced a sensation that God was quite near. At both locations I found myself repeating the words “thank you” over and over again. I was thankful for the opportunity to photograph such beauty and even more thankful for God making it possible for me to do so. He truly is an awesome God!
Getting away on vacation has not brought me much physical rest but it certainly has provided the rest I needed for my soul. Now if I could just discipline myself to take more mini-vacations in nature once I get back home…
–Chuck