I came across this poem in a reader that someone gave me many years ago, called Christian Liberty Nature Reader Book 1: Second Edition.
The Boy That Never Sees
God help the boy that never sees
The butterflies, the birds, the bees,
Nor hears the music of the breeze
When zephyrs soft are blowing;
Who can not in sweet comfort lie
Where clover blooms are thick and high,
And hear the gentle murmur nigh
Of brooklets softly flowing.
God help the boy that does not know
Where all the woodland berries grow;
Who never sees the forest’s glow
When leaves are red and yellow;
Whose childish feet can never stray
Where nature doth her charms display–
For such a helpless boy, I say,
God help the little fellow.
–Author Unknown (p. 145)
We live in a suburban neighborhood, and sometimes I feel almost helpless to really get out to see things other than well-manicured lawns and human-designed landscapes. Although we see butterflies, birds and bees in our yards, we must make a concerted effort to find woodlands, forests and brooklets.
God help us all to find time and gumption to venture into places where we can respectfully observe, admire, and appreciate the complexity and brilliance of His creation.
If you haven’t read this post from March 8, please do.
Then consider spending some time outside today. An hour, perhaps? A “green hour”?
It’s raining today in our fair city at the moment. This afternoon we’ll be in the car.
I guess I need to get everyone out right now.
I’d better locate the raincoats and boots.
Sigh.
I can’t wait for summer.
It’s easier and more motivating to help The Boy and girls to “see,” as the poem says, when the weather isn’t cold, gray and misty.
Did you happen to see that Ann V. from Holy Experience is doing a series on “Slowing to See” (or something like that?) Your posts always show up at the same time on my Reader. They worked so beautifully together today!
We’re going out for a walk thanks to your (and Ann’s) nudging!
Oh Ann, and here today I just wrote an ode of joy for mud and rubber boots
(Prairie winters will do that to a person). Hoping you find the beauty in the boggy today.
I am feeling a desperate need to get out into nature myself. Am planning on going on a nature walk today with the kids. While it rains. Don’t know if that makes me Brave Mama or Bozo Mama.
Little of both, I suspect.
I, too, have struggled with this issue with my two boys. I spent much of my childhood out-of-doors, exploring my world with all of my senses. I notice that my boys seem to “wake up” when they explore God’s gifts in nature. I love to watch them play, and so, it all comes full circle. But you get the gold star for venturing out in the rain. We usually wait for Mr. sun!
We took a walk up to the boys’ school after dinner tonight to play on the playground for awhile. It was definitely a better alternative than staying inside – because it was BEAUTIFUL here today.
Sorry about your rain! *grin*
What a great post. I’m not a naturally outdoorsy person so I’ve neglected that part of my life for a long time. Finally, a couple weeks ago, my husband counseled me that I really needed to get outside more often, so we made the decision to by a *triple* jogging stroller, even on our tight budget. I realized it’s the only way I could possibly get out with a three-year-old, a one-year-old, and a seven-month-old.
I was so nervous that it would be a waste of money, that it would just take up space in our garage but, ya know what, it’s already changed my life. Per your point in this lovely post, simply getting outside and seeing nature (even if you have to look a little harder to see it here in suburbia) can really change your perspective…and your life.
I live next to a large park, but I rarely walk in it. I made a resolution many moons ago to go walking in the park, too. The very day I embarked on my resolution, I read a notice that a construction crew would be dynamiting . The county clearcut a good portion of woods and built a rec center, that stands empty almost every time I go over there.