"While it is true that God is a hidden presence, we have only to let nature speak to us about the God who is everywhere."
- John Eudes, Abbot of the Genesee,
as quoted by Henry Nouwen in Discernment
My first thought on reading this was that if this is true, then God is more present in some places than in others. For instance, in areas south - especially Florida and the Caribbean - where the weather is always wonderful, there is always an abundance of green, flowers, animals, birds and insects. What about in areas like here in New England during winter? All is bare or dull. There is wildlife but it can be sparse. What about in Alaska? What about in cities? Especially cities in the north during winter time.
Alaska, though frigid cold and covered in deep snow most of the year, has a majestic quality that does reflect God. Not having been there in person, photographs and movie footage alone have shown me this.
God can be found in the city, but there he is discovered more often through people than in nature. Yet even a dandelion growing in the crack between foundation and sidewalk can point to God.
Winter in New England can teach us about rest and slowing down. A valuable lesson for so many who live by the "New York minute."
God is everywhere and I think that if we love where it is we live, we will find him in everything.
