It was late July and except for a few fluffy, white clouds the sky was a brilliant blue. The sun was shining on the green grass giving it a golden hue. Birds were busy flying to and from their nests feeding their rapidly growing babies. The air was full of the smell of fresh cut grass and the scent of sweet Clover. In the meadow behind my house I could see deer grazing by the edge of the woods. Our black cat, Alice was snoozing under the shade of our Maple tree ignoring the little bunny that was hopping along in the graveyard behind my home. I could see too the dandelions, buttercups, daisies, and Queen Anne’s lace blooming along the side of the road. It was like a perceptual overload. All of this beauty was here for me just as I stepped outside.

Taking it all in, my heart felt so full. I breathed in the sweet, cool, morning air and walked barefoot in the grass. I knew that a heat wave was on the way so I wanted to enjoy the comfort of the morning and take in all of these glorious gifts of God’s creation. Just then a lovely, yellow butterfly flew down and landed on a gravestone right in front of me. It fluttered its wings and I smiled. It flew up circled my face and then floated away on the gentle breeze. A peace filled me as I took in its message of Heavenly Love. And I thanked God for this beautiful day, this beautiful world, and this beautiful life.

Isn’t it incredible how God can sometimes use this entire world just to show us that we are loved? All of Nature tells us of His Love from the sun shining above us to the tiniest blade of grass. This Love flows through books, music, art, and knowledge too. People and angels can be messengers of this Love as well. It is up to us, though, to open our hearts and welcome this Love into our souls. It is up to us to embrace this Love, live in it with joy, and share it with the world. It is up to us to grow in this Love forever and make our lives as beautiful as a Summer day.