Eggs, exercise, and enjoying God's glory!

     Sometimes I wonder if a decent percentage of the world's problems could be solved simply by folks getting outside for a little exercise.  Who knows?  People working off their frustrations with a little sweat.  Putting some of their fears into perspective with a bit of huffing and puffing.  Pounding their irritation and hair-trigger tempers into submission with good old fashioned physical exertion.
     Yeah, I know that's superficial and even a bit silly, for many of life's intractable heartaches and disappointments go mighty deep...too deep, surely, for the healing that comes from a brisk walk or a bracing bike ride.  I'm certainly not advocating exercise as a panacea for life's troubles.
      But still...isn't there something about getting outside into God's lush playground and being reminded that your Heavenly Father crafted every bumble bee, bubbling brook, and leafy branch?   Have you studied the ants lately?  Or the salamander?  Or the hawk?  What miraculous workmanship, what intricate beauty.
     Just this afternoon, we found this little gem lying on our deck--

     An empty Robin's egg--so spectacularly blue!  Why on earth would God make the egg of a common, regular old bird such an amazing color?  Couldn't He just have painted every egg from every species of bird some kind of utilitarian brown?  Wouldn't that have been far easier and quicker?
     No!  Because He is, in John Piper's words, "resplendent in His glory!"  Our Lord crafted over 10,000 species of birds (and over 22,000 subspecies)!  What on earth?  And our glorious God created over 950,000 species of insects!  Can you even get your mind around that many varieties of little, insignificant bugs?  And we think we don't have enough time to get everything done on our to-do list? We worry that God isn't big enough or great enough to handle our problems?
      He is the Lord Almighty!  As I just read this morning, "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!  You have set Your glory above the heavens.  Out of the mouths of babies and infants, You have established strength because of Your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.  When I look at Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You care for him?  Yet You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings, and crowned him with glory and honor." (Ps.8:1-5)  Boy, that'll put a spring in your step!
     So can I make a silly suggestion?  If you're feeling discouraged or worried or frustrated, how about strapping on a pair of tennis shoes and walking outside.  Maybe you can take your dog--I know it's the best part of Bingley's day, and he sleeps like a log for hours when we get back.  This is him right now--

     So much for the rambunctious puppy.  Not after a good walk.  He's been happily dreaming of squirrels and his buddies on the greenway all afternoon.
     But as good as that stroll might be for your dog, I promise it will be even better for you.  Maybe enjoy a bit of praise music.  Hum along, reminding yourself of the greatness and goodness of your Lord.  Or simply listen to the music of the birds, crickets and frogs...and talk to God about what you're feeling.  Or perhaps tune in to an inspiring podcast or two--I can't tell you how many times Andy Stanley, Chuck Swindoll, Ravi Zacharias, or Tim Keller have shared something that the Lord knew I needed to hear that day, that hour.  Or even walk with a buddy--and rejoice in the priceless gift of friendship. Oh thank You Lord for our dear friends and family!  
     As the old Nike ad says, "Just do it!"  Get out there and enjoy the warmth of the sunshine, the scent of spring, and the promise of new life all around you.  And remember--your God made every bit of it, because He is great and glorious beyond all imagining.
     Yes, Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!  Remind us again...and again, Father.  To God the glory.