The new day is a gift. Yesterday, we drove from Disneyland and struggled. Today is a new creation. The gift of a fresh start in God’s beautiful creation. California as a whole is not stunningly beautiful. It is dry and the landscape reflects it. However, everyday is sunny. As we travel through much of the state, I miss the lush green of Indiana (not the humidity though).
Even as much of California is dry, yellow, or brown, it does have spectacular spots. Thus, the National Parks, and Kings Canyon is spectacular.
Compared to my family, I am an earlier riser. Therefore, I often have some time in the morning before they even stir. Today, I decide that I need to get out. I drive up to panoramic point, sit by myself, reflect, and walk a bit. It s beautiful. I would love to have my quiet time here every day. Yes, it is beautiful, but I love to just BE in creation. I feel a greater sense of peace and connection to God and God’s world. I believe there is a connection between just learning to be and love. When you learn to be (contentment), you don’t need to fill yourself, often at the expense of others. When you learn to be, you can concentrate more on others and the world around. When you learn to just be, it increases your desire for justice, peace. Maybe that is why we are to be still and know, consider the lilies, live Sabbath. It helps us to seek God and God’s kingdom first and increases our capacity to love. Just sitting in God’s creation, glorifying God restores me, helps me better seek first the kingdom.
Today, we drive through Kings Canyon, see Zumwalt meadow, a road side waterfall, and go to Muir Rock on the river. Josh jumps off and enjoys the plunge. Usually, I am right there with him, but this may be the coldest river I have ever encountered. I get in up to my calves, and they become numb. I am not taking the plunge today.
It’s a bit of a drive through a windy mountain road, so we take the top of the jeep and enjoy. Back up the mountain, looking into the canyon and seeing the river is stunning. Another beautiful spot on a beautiful day. Here, in Kings Canyon, we also get our first experience of sequoia trees. Wow, they are gigantic. General Grant’s tree is the second largest living thing on earth, and it’s only 1650 years old.
