Joining the trees' chorus

      Today, two simple reasons for thankfulness--
      Thank You, Father, for our veterans.  I don't really even have the words to express my profound gratitude for all they have sacrificed, all they have given, and all they have accomplished.  What can we say but thank you, thank you, thank you. Might we be worthy of their sacrifice and eternally grateful for their service.
      And second, thank You, Lord, for the beauty of Your world.  In particular, the gift of fall trees.

The brilliant colors of the trees and the carpet of leaves crunching under my feet never cease to amaze and delight me.  The glory of autumn never gets old...and reflects a magnificent, creative, gift-giving God.
      A.W. Tozer writes: "We make a mistake if we do not learn to admire God in all things, great and small; for a new rich mine would be opened in our consciousness if we could learn to recognize God in nature as well as in grace!  We do acknowledge that the God of nature is also the God of grace; and it is true that we glorify  God's redeeming grace no less when we glorify His creating and sustaining power...
      At one time, an English merchant and the renowned poet William Blake stood watching the sun come up out of the sea.  The bright yellow disk of the sun emerged, gilding the water and painting the sky with a thousand colors. 'Ah!  I see gold!' the merchant said.
      Blake answered, 'I see the glory of God!  And I hear a multitude of the heavenly host crying, 'The whole earth is full of His glory!'"
      Amen!  Every autumn tree trumpets the glory of God.  Might we join in the chorus of thanksgiving.  Think of how many trees we pass everyday. Just this morning, I was rushing down the escalator, scurrying to pick up lunch for one of my children, and suddenly, there, all over the Target parking lot, was God's glory on full display!  Multiple crimson trees dotted the parking lot, and I gasped with surprise at their beauty--in the middle of concrete shopping center parking lot!  God's goodness and glory is evidenced all around us, isn't it?  The problem is, we're often too busy or preoccupied to notice, pause and give thanks.
      So today, might every autumn tree you pass be a reminder to cease your rushing for just a moment and thank the Crafter and Creator of such astounding beauty.  Whether in your yard, in the parking lot at work, or along the road and highway, every tree sings of the glory of God.  And those trees are everywhere--so we have ample opportunity for praise!  Let's join in their chorus.  He is infinitely worthy.
     To God be the glory.