God’s Front Porch
Well now, glory be, an’ land o’ shimmering fireflies, Butterbean! Come right on up here on this here front porch and set yourself right on down, like an ol’ fat bullfrog ‘a-settlin’ onto a cool lily pad after a long day o’ croakin’. Ecclesiastes 3:11 is a’comin’ in ‘a-tiptoein’ real easy, like a lil’ ol’ deer ‘a-sippin’ from a quiet, flowin’ creek stream, an’ ‘a-tellin’ us, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” That right there’s enough to be ‘a-makin’ even a cranky ol’ porcupine git ta’ smoothin’ out its sharpened quills.
Romans 1:18 -23 is ‘a-remindin’ us that God’s fingerprints are all over creation. His invisible “handiwork hints” are “clearly ‘a-bein’ seen” in every doggone thing He done made. You ain’t got to be ‘a-standin’ on some fancy big ol’ mountaintop in China or ‘a-floatin’ over the Great Barrier Reef like a lil’ ol’ confused pelican to be ‘a-seein’ His awesome glory. Just git ta’ lookin’ out o’ your window, Butterbean. You can even be ‘a-watchin’ them there clouds ‘a-marchin’ like a slow parade. Watch all them there birds ‘a-flockin’ like they’re done discussin’ some real important business meetin’.. You can be ‘a-watchin’ the grass ‘a-showin’ off more shades of green colors than a lil’ ol’ jealous green frog ‘a-tunin’ up an’ ‘’a-serenadin’ like he’s done gonna be ‘a-auditionin’ for the bayou choir..
God done made this here whole world sho’-nuff’ beautiful, and He done went an’ made it all on purpose. An’ He done went an’ made it jes’ to be ‘a-pointin’ us all right on back to Him. Romans 1:18-23 is ‘a-sayin’ that folks even go to gittin’ themselves in real big trouble when they start to worshipin’ the created stuff instead o’ the Creator. They done git ta’ thinkin’ they’re real wise, but they done end up ‘a-lookin’ sillier than a lil’ ol’ raccoon ‘a-tryin’ to be ‘a-stealin’ a big ol’ watermelon more’n twice its size.
Truth is, we can’t begin to git ta’ understandin’ who we are until we git ta’ understandin’ the very One who done made us. He done crafted this here universe with a whole lot more care than a mama bird ‘a-weavin’ her nest together twig by twig. An’ He done invites us to be ‘a-steppin’ outside, ‘a-breathin’ real deep, and ‘a-lettin’ His handiwork be ‘a-remindin’ us that He’s still in charge, still ‘a-bein’ real good all o’ the time, an’ still ‘a-makin’ things real beautiful in their own time.
So, be ‘a-takin’ a lil’ ol’ prayer walk, Butterbean. Be ‘a-sittin’ under a tree. Be ‘a-watchin’ a lil’ ol’ squirrel ‘a-tryin’ to decide if it’s done ‘a-wantin’ to be ‘a-trustin’ that lil’ ol’ tree branch. Be ‘a-lettin’ creation be ‘a-preachin’ a sermon real straight right to your heart.
Father, I be ‘a-thankin’ You for the beauty You’ve done stitched into every corner of this here ol’ world. Be ‘a-helpin’ me to be ’a-slowin’ down, ‘a-lookin’ around, and ‘a-seein’ Your hand in all of it. Be ‘a-lettin’ creation git ta’ drawin’ me closer to You and be ‘a-remindin’ me that You’re always ‘a-makin’ all things beautiful in Your Own perfect time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now, goodness gracious, git ta’ goin’ on, Butterbean, an’ be ‘a-keepin’ in mind that God’s divine beauty ain’t jes’ in them there real grand, fancy places. It’s in the plain ol’ everyday places, too. It’s in the beautiful sunrise ‘a-peekin’ over your fence, in that there sweet breeze ‘a-rustlin’ through the leaves in them there pecan trees, and even in that stubborn ol’ grouchy rooster who done gits ta’ crowin’ at the wrong time. Be ‘a-keepin’ your eyes ‘a-stayin’ real wide open to His glorious handiwork, and be ‘a-lettin’ your lil’ ol’ heart be ‘a-stayin’ soft as fresh biscuit dough ‘a-bein’ kneaded an’ rolled out in the able hands o’ the Master o’ the Universe, Who, after, is the Almighty God, our Loving Lord and Savior!.
With joy,
Gwen
