Many years ago, I was tasked with getting a Christmas gift for a person I hadn’t shopped for before. I gave the gift a lot of thought. This person didn’t like any clothing that wasn’t cotton and they preferred neutral colors such as beige or cream. I had the idea to get them a sweater that would be something nice for them to wear out to dinner or for family gatherings.

After several shopping trips, I found the perfect gift. Two different sweaters, both cotton, both cream colored, and lightweight for the warmer climate. As I wrapped them, I was very excited to see how my gift would be received since I’d put so much thought into it.

When the recipient opened the sweaters, they lifted them up and a look of disgust twisted their features. They said, “What do I want with these,” tossed them on the floor and went on to the next gift.

Needless to say, I was very hurt. Something I’d put so much thought and care into had been summarily rejected without even a thank you or any acknowledgement of gratitude. They didn’t care about how I’d put their wants and needs at the foremost of my choices.

Over the years, I’ve thought of this often as I consider my reaction to God’s gifts to me. In the past month, I’ve gone hiking twice and been struck by the beauty and variety of this world God created and made for us. And, I’ve considered how many times I overlook the care He took to prepare this place for me.

“Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear”; and it was so. And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of the waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.

Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth”; and it was so. And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1: 9-12

God put so much thought into His creation, into where people would live. The beauty and variety of creation shows God’s creativity at its best. From the majesty of mountains to the green valleys to the beaches and oceans, it’s like He made something for each of us, a place we can call home.

Yet how often do we take the time to enjoy the beauty around us? We tend to hurry through life, doing our work, visiting family and friends, and spending our downtime doing what pleases us. We forget to take the time to notice what God has made and the detail and perfection of what He’s done for us.

On our hike yesterday with a church group, I took the time to marvel at the plant life that survives so well in the desert but would not work in a forested area. I noted the striations in the rocks and the variety and beauty of them. And I thanked God for providing this beauty.

I also pondered how much fun God might have had during the creation process. When I shopped for the person I talked about, I had fun trying to figure out what would work. I believe God had fun creating a beautiful world for us. He did everything with us in mind.

We all need to take the time to thank God for His thoughtfulness toward us. Maybe we need to slow down just a bit and fit those times into our schedule so that we aren’t just tossing His creation aside as if saying, “What do I want with this?” 

Notice the world around you. Give thanks to the Creator who cares so much about you.

“By the word of the Lord the heavens were made,

And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.

He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap;

He lays up the deep in storehouses.

Let all the earth fear the Lord;

Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.

For He spoke, and it was done;

He commanded, and it stood fast.” Psalm 33:6-9