Many of us have endured lots of rain this spring, but the payoff has been worth it. On our little hillside, tightly compacted foliage now covers trees and shrubs. Hearty blades of grass press thickly together like subway travelers at rush hour. The whole landscape is so green, you’d think we lived on the Emerald Isle.
(Trees and shrubs behind our house. ‘Wish the light was better,
but it’s another day of clouds and rain.)
Close inspection reveals, however, that spring foliage comes in many more shades of green than emerald.
Isn’t green a glorious color? No matter the shade, there’s something about green that breathes restoration and life into our beings.
Researchers have studied the response of the body when a person is surrounded by a particular color. Green causes muscles to relax and blood vessels to dilate. Therefore, it has a calming effect and lowers stress.
The positive effects of green are even more pronounced when we get outdoors. Studies have shown that such capacities as short-term memory, mental energy, creativity and concentration all improve after time spent in nature. Even five minutes can produce positive effects.
Researchers are even discovering restorative responses in the body after a person has been outdoors. For example, inflammation decreases, nearsightedness is less pronounced, and the immune system improves.
What do you suppose accounts for all those benefits? Perhaps God intentionally designed his creation (at least in part) to provide restoration of body, soul, and spirit–for us.
The challenge is getting out there. Too often I’ve allowed indoor tasks and activities to take precedence over sitting on the deck or taking a walk.
And once situated on the deck or strolling in the neighborhood, I need to take note of my surroundings. If my mind is preoccupied with the to-do list or troubling concerns, restoration is not going to happen. I have to pay attention.
How?
Engage the senses.
- Take note of the light dappling the foliage.
- Listen to the breezes whisper among the evergreens.
- Fill the lungs with pure air cleansed by flourishing, CO2-breathing trees.
- Touch the cool, curled edges of the geranium leaves.
Experience the wonder.
- Limbs and gentle winds join in an intermittent dance.
- Leaves bob and sway.
- Treetops enthusiastically participate; creek bed foliage plays the wallflower, quiet and still.
- Sun glints through the woods, creating a spotlight effect on some branches. Others are draped in deep, green-black shadow.
And the most important step of all:
Express gratitude.
I thank you, Father, for the gift of greenery, the grandeur of stately trees, the delight of shapely leaves, the peaceful calm of an open field or forest temple.
I thank you for the lessons they teach—reminders to grow our roots deep into your love (Ephesians 3:17), to be watered by your Word (Psalm 1:2-3), and to live in the Light of your Son, Jesus (John 8:12).
It’s not just the infinite heavens that declare your glory and display your wisdom and power (Psalm 19:1). Even the minutest of plants offers evidence of your splendor and artistry.
The whole of nature is your living room, God, and I humbly thank you for the precious privilege of meeting you there.
(“Nature is God’s living room,” a Michael Hyatt creative expression.)
Photo credits: www.pexels.com; Nancy Ruegg (3), http://www.maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com; http://www.pexels.com; Nancy Ruegg; http://www.pexels.com (2), http://www.publicdomainpictures.net; geograph.org.uk; http://www.maxpixels.freegreatpicture.com; http://www.pexels.com; http://www.maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com; http://www.pexels.com.