Creation Anxiously Awaits

Dear Lord; Happy Monday Father!

First off Father, I want to thank You for another enjoyable weekend.  I was Blessed to spend quite a bit of quality time with my wife and children, Shannon and I got out for a “date night” on Saturday, I managed to catch up on some laundry, dishes and housework, and the boys and I even went on an outing to walk the trails at Blackbird State Forest on Sunday afternoon.  All in all, it was a restful and satisfying couple of days and I thank You so much for that respite.

As I’ve mentioned to you before Lord, Blackbird Forest is one of those places where I feel most connected to Your Presence.  It was a lovely day here on Sunday, and our time spent trekking through the majesty of Your Creation was wonderful as always.  I’m extremely pleased that Jonathan and Aidan have developed such a love of nature, and that they eagerly look forward to our exploration time together.  We’re already planning some longer day trips together as the weather improves, so we can hike some of the more lengthy trails.  Either way, I look forward to spending lots of communal time with You on those paths in the upcoming seasons.  🙂

Today Father, while doing some reading I ran across a passage in Romans that loudly spoke to me and I’d like to share it:

“ I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.” – Romans 8:18-19 (NIV)

Wow Lord, what a powerful statement the Apostle Paul makes here!  Not only is he reminding us that the trials and tribulations we go through in this lifetime are insignificant when compared to the glory we will receive in Your Kingdom, but also that creation itself is anxiously awaiting what’s coming as well!  From walking through the forest yesterday and feeling Your Presence in such magnitude, these verses just reached out to me today when I came across them.

Heavenly Father, thank You once again for a lovely weekend and for continuing to bless us with Your Presence.  I pray that we all may see past the daily burdens we encounter, secure in the knowledge that these trials are temporary and that Your Glory to come far outweighs any suffering we endure here on Earth.  Amen.

~Phather Phil