There’s nothing quite like the loveliness of spring. I enjoy experiencing all the seasons, but spring most of all reminds me of Eden and intimate walks in the garden with the Lord. Last night, I was out for a stroll in my neighborhood. It had rained earlier in the day, and the sidewalk was still wet where the deeper puddles were. There was a stillness all around as the leaves seemed to be weighed down by the moisture that hung in the air. The subtle fragrance of lilacs and wet earth hovered over the lawns. I could only hear the birds singing, an occasional dog barking, and the faint hum of cars from the main road.

As I walked along and took in the beauty around me, I experienced the natural world drawing me deeper into the truth of God’s goodness, purpose, and peace. God gives us the big-“S” Sacraments of the Church, like baptism and confirmation, as particular encounters with his grace. The world is also full of small-“s” sacraments, everyday moments of grace, that are like little signposts pointing to God and speaking something true to us. Nature is full of these signposts.

As I walked through the neighborhood, I felt the anxiety and sorrow from a tough day lift. Creation around me was teaching me to be still and know. God provides the rain, the sun, and nutrients, all in the right season. The flowers only have to be still and know that He is God, and so do I. If you need some renewal of the mind right now, consider taking a stroll outside during a quiet hour and allow God to draw you into his peace and truth as you mingle with the lilies.