Be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating. Isiah 65:18
 
Everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving, for it is sanctified by God's word and by prayer. 1 Timothy 4:4-5
 
There are too many ways to look at God's creation to even imagine how many wondrous examples there are. This time of year I am amazed that, even when the days continue to be warm, all nature around us senses the ending of the growing season. Birds gather in flocks flying above us to begin their migration south. Flowers begin to lose the vibrant blooms they had in mid-summer. Time has come to harvest the crops produced this growing season. I could go on and on. God's planning in his creation is a source of rejoicing for all that he has made and provided. God planned that what he has provided through his mercy and love will always be good.
 
Even as we think of what has been done, we can have confidence that God is continuing his work both among us and on his earth. He has prepared what we need to live and worship as we prepare to be with him in his kingdom that one day will come. Everywhere we look we see signs of God's presence. He shows us his love for each one of us in ways beyond what we can count.
 
Dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
We thank you, God, for the beauty of the earth, for the beauty of the skies, for the wonder of each hour, for each hill and vale and flower, for the sun, moon, and stars of night. Thank you for each gift divine, especially for the gift of your son, Jesus, who saved us from our sins. Christ, our God, to thee we raise this our sacrifice of praise. Amen.*
 
* Paraphrased from the Hymn, "For the Beauty of the Earth" by Folliott Pierpoint
 
Florence Smallfield