Be Dazzled
One of the books I received (and gave) for Christmas is Mary Oliver’s newest volume of poetry, Blue Horses. I am a huge fan of Oliver’s poems and was excited to begin reading this new book. A few nights ago I came across a section of a poem called “Good Morning” that really spoke to me. Oliver writes, “The multiplicity of forms! The hummingbird, the fox, the raven, the sparrow hawk, the otter, the dragonfly, the water lily! And on and on. It must be a great disappointment to God if we are not dazzled at least ten times a day.”
If you are familiar with Mary Oliver’s writings you know that she is very in tune with both nature and the presence of the divine throughout Creation. In a way perhaps only a poet can she pays attention to her surroundings. As noted in this poem, she takes careful notice of “the multiplicity of forms” around her. I think we would all be wise to do the same. Take a few moments some time to ponder the countless forms found in Creation. You will be overwhelmed by the task.
The world God has created is simply marvelous. I love Louie Armstrong’s classic song, “What a Wonderful World.” In it he sings of all the things he sees around him in nature. Some of the things he mentions are trees of green and skies of blue, red roses, the colors of the rainbow, clouds of white, the bright blessed day and the dark sacred night. Armstrong, like Oliver, was apparently dazzled by what he saw and could only conclude “what a wonderful world” it is we live in.
I hope in the year to come you will make a special effort to pay more attention to the wonders and beauty of God’s Creation. I suspect Mary Oliver is correct; it must be a great disappointment to God if we are not dazzled at least ten times a day. I suggest you make as one of your New Year resolutions to be dazzled more often in the coming year. Try to see the world with a fresh set of eyes. Take notice of the wonderful world we are blessed to live in and let it lead you to offer your gratitude and praise to the One who made it all and seeks to become known through it. If you will strive to be dazzled more often I cannot help but believe 2015 will be a wonderful year indeed. Happy New Year and God bless!
–Chuck
(I photographed the dragonfly and water lily at Henderson Sloughs W.M.A., the raven in New Mexico, and the sea otter in Alaska.)