As we draw near to the 4th of July and the 250th semiquincentenial celebration of the United States, I’ve been thinking of some of my favorite ways to experience this great country. As I reflect on how grateful I am for this literal land we get to live on, visit, and take in, I realize these are gifts I never want to take for granted. Specifically: I appreciate the land that has been set aside to be protected and cared for in its natural splendor – our local, state, and national park systems.
I love getting to travel to our national parks when opportunities arise, but have you been to our local state parks, too? Here in Brookings we have several within an hour drive available to us, from Oakwood and Palisades state parks to lovely trails like the Valley of the Giants in the Big Sioux Recreation Area (in Brandon). I find parks like these to be a great opportunity to explore the vast landscapes we have in the area around us. Not up for traveling? Dakota Nature Park has is one of many local parks, and it’s a great place to bike or walk through to see nature’s beauty showing off throughout its 135-acre park.
More than seeing or experiencing these different parks, spending time in natural, preserved places like these are great ways to celebrate and lean into the spiritual, natural places God has given us. After all, as people of faith we trust that God has created all that is, and God would want us to marvel at God’s creativity and all the ways it works together for good in the world. After all, Psalm 104:24-25 tells us:
O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. Here is the sea, great and wide, which teems with creatures innumerable, living things both small and great.
“Innumerable” are the great and small things God has created, and innumerable are the opportunities around us to pause and reflect on the goodness of God’s nature within and around us. So whether it’s a park across the country or a bird feeder outside your window or something in between: might we celebrate this anniversary of our nation’s birth by giving thanks for God at work in the most simple places around us. And while the weather is kind and the days long, might we get outside for some fresh air and sounds of nature as we give thanks for all God has created, and all God continues to bless us with in this home we call the United States of America.
This week’s Reflections column was written by the Rev. Jen Osterloh, senior pastor at First United Methodist Church in Brookings.
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