As a young girl I played for hours in the woods near our summer cabin.
I would gather pine cones, inspect bugs, search for treasure, sit beneath a tree and read, hide in the shadows, and bask in the sunny spots. These many years later I still have a tremendous love for time spent in the woods. A walk in the forest is a reminder to me of the intricate and incredible design of our Creator. A forest contains an entire ecosystem of plants, animals, and tiny micro organisms. There is an interdependence among all of these elements. Each has a necessary function. A pine cone falls to the ground, containing the seeds of a future tree. Leaf mold fertilizes the soil. Tree roots prevent erosion. This reminds me of the body of Christ. We are all interdependent, part of a greater whole, each bringing our own gifts for the good of the community.God places a unique purpose in each of us. We need one another to thrive and grow just as all of the elements of the forest are needed for growth and regeneration. Praise God for all of creation!
(c) 2015 Ellen Mechler
