The Woodland Bench



While exploring our woodland acreage, our granddaughter staked out a trail that led to a place where she could be by herself in nature.


She turned to Papa and said, “Can you make me a little bench?” Together they chose some beautiful pieces of maple wood. 


But she had one very specific request about where it should go — “I want to sit where I can’t see any buildings.”


She had to return home before the bench was finished, but Papa brought it to her house so she could try it out before it found its permanent place in our woods.




Now, as the leaves are falling all around, I decided to place her bench in that special spot she picked out. 


I sat there for a few quiet minutes, just to see what she saw.


And I realized that in her childlike wisdom, she had the right idea all along.


Look away from what we’ve built, and look instead to what God has created.


In the midst of everything that is happening around us, if you can find a quiet place in nature, — even for a moment — it truly is the best medicine for your mind.



"Be still, and know I am God."  Psalm 46:10

 

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