In this beautiful month of October, I’ve been outdoors more than ever praising God on daily walks and exercising in nature. The beauty of God’s creation moves my heart and reminds me that simple things like a walk in the woods are freeing, healing and truly a haven to talk with and to listen to God.
My husband, Al, broke a foot early in the summer and ended up with one leg on a scooter for two months. Walking was something we both took for granted until he couldn’t do it anymore. We persevered, but now that his foot has healed and he is walking again, we are both so grateful and more determined than ever to stay active, healthy and to be outdoors as much as possible enjoying the peace and beauty of God’s creation.
St. John of Damascus said, "The whole earth is a living icon of the face of God.”
In looking at the trees, the trails, the ponds and long stretches of color in the park across from our house, I see God so clearly. He has given all of this to us. Do I take the time to enjoy it? This year, I am thriving in it. I get outdoors in every season, but just as in the spiritual life, some seasons are light and easy, and others weigh a bit heavier. The lightness of the current season is a welcome respite.
We are in this wisp of time where there is a gentle coolness, dancing leaves, sparkling blue skies, ever-changing tree tapestries and, yes, the lush, dewy grass which I still enjoy barefoot.
Praying my rosary is ever more glorious in October, the month of the holy rosary, walking with Jesus through Mary, on an easy, breezy day. My heart naturally lifts up to Him through her, like a little child, skipping happily in the vast expanse of His love ensconced by nature.
At times, I become very aware of the physical detachment from the secular world and from the problems and challenges that come with it when I’m alone in nature. There is a special freedom of mind and heart — as Matthew Kelly would say — with a sense of carefree timelessness.
Scripture resounds with the praises of nature. From Psalm 96:11-12, “Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice; let the sea and what fills it resound; let the plains be joyful and all that is in them. Then let all the trees of the forest rejoice before the Lord who comes. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.”
As I walked a well-worn path in the woods and fields with a friend recently, it was all new to her. She noticed things that I had walked right by. Low hanging tree limbs overhead, mushrooms below and milk-pod plants all around — things I’ve seen many times, but nary a thought. Her joy reminded me that as I walk with Jesus, I should pause, give thanks and ask Him to give me new eyes to see.
St. Augustine said, “Some people, to discover God, read books. But there is a great book: the very appearance of created things. Look above you! Look below you! Note it. Read it. God, whom you want to discover, never wrote a book in ink. Instead, He set before your eyes the things that He had made. Can you ask for a louder voice than that?
As the winter approaches, I remain committed to walking with Jesus and praying and talking to Him in nature often. A friend and I are discerning a call to walk the Camino, so the walking may increase, but with it so will the blessings of walking with Jesus in nature. Lord, give me eyes to see the things that You have made!
