The new book is here!

So it's really happened. My book is now published! The title is Go Outside: God is Waiting. Predictably, the cover image is one of my photos.

The book's cover photo is one I took as my daughter and I were kayaking from Ketchikan, Alaska to the Tatoosh Island Eagle Sanctuary. What a special experience! Yes, the eagles were fascinating, and we were able to get very close to them. The best part of the experience, though, was being outdoors, exercising, and spending time with my daughter.

The book is a collection of essays. Each starts with a photo or painting of mine based on nature, and a story about where I took the photo. The heart of the essays, then, is a verse from Scripture and a reflection on finding God's peace by spending time with Him in nature. To give you an idea of what the essays are like, I'm posting one here for you. Enjoy!

The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness,

The world and those who dwell therein,

For He has founded it upon the seas, 

And established it upon the waters (Psalm 24:1).

Isn’t this a lovely spot? Imagine yourself in this rocker, thoughtful, quiet, far from the hustle and bustle of daily life. A beautiful view like this one on Monhegan Island in Maine is a delight for the senses. The scene of the Gulf of Maine is charming, the ground feels soft underfoot, there’s the fragrance of the grass, the sound of a gentle breeze, the smell of the fresh sea air, and if I open my mouth, a taste of salt. The island has a fascinating history. Samoset, the first Native American to contact the English at Plymouth Rock, was from here. The island was visited by English explorers including Samuel de Champlain and Captain John Smith in the 17th century, and for a time was used by pirates as a base for their exploits. It served as a refuge for English settlers during King Philip’s War, was captured by the French during King William’s War, and finally found peace after the end of the French and Indian War*.

Today the island is an artist colony and delightful tourist destination. Despite its small size – it is only 1.75 miles long and 0.75 miles wide – it has 17 miles of hiking trails. Visitors’ cars are not allowed on the island, so there’s a welcome respite from traffic noise. What a fun day trip from the southeast coast of Maine. I was there with my brother and sister-in-law, enjoying the wonderful natural beauty and reconnecting with some favorite people I see only rarely, because we live on opposite coasts of this big, beautiful country of ours.

I never did actually sit in this rocking chair. That would have seemed intrusive since this was private property. Still, I felt riveted to the spot. I had traveled far, by plane, car, and ferry. What a glorious sense of peace to finally be here on the island, traveling by foot, and just soaking up the serenity of the place. The sense of peace was palpable. I felt joy and calm, a sense of being far removed from the cares of the world. Notice there is only one rocking chair. What a pleasant place to enjoy a nice little one-on-one chat with God.

As an artist and nature photographer, I was overwhelmed by the incredible natural beauty of the island. As a Christian, I found myself filled with praise and gratitude for the generous God who has given us such a wondrous natural world. In the words of the psalmist David, we hear grateful praise:

You visit the earth and water it,

You greatly enrich it;

The river of God is full of water;

For so You prepared it.

You water its ridges abundantly,

You settle its furrows;

You make it soft with showers,

You bless its growth (Psalm 65:9,10).

Whenever I’m out in nature, as this day on Monhegan Island, I sense that God is right here with me. More than believing in Him, I have a sense of knowing Him, personally, deep in my bones. And I know He knows me. All about me, all my weaknesses and failings. And the wonder is, He loves me anyway, with a love so much more forceful than human love it is incomprehensible. My worries fade, any sadness flees. Challenges of daily life no longer feel insurmountable. Stress disappears.

Ah, yes, stress. I know a thing or two about stress-a single mom since my four children were preschoolers, victim of gender discrimination in my professional life, survivor of a 5-year cancer battle. With God’s support, I survived all that. The children are now grown and thriving. My health is restored. I’m enjoying the luxury of retirement. I honestly never doubted I would get through those challenges, knowing my great and powerful Helper God has supported me in the past, does yet today, and will still in whatever lies ahead. He will do the same for every one of us.

Our God loves us, and wants to help us, but there is one small catch. He waits for us to come to Him. He will not force Himself on us. He waits. The first move is ours. Scripture tells us:

So, I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened (Luke 11: 9,10).

There we have it. We need to ask God for what we need. I can think of no better place to have that conversation with Him than outdoors. So, I encourage my readers to just Go Outside! Seek Him. He wants to see us enjoying this world He has given us. What a heartwarming confluence of events; being outdoors brings us joy, and I’m sure God delights to see us enjoying His creation.

Personal Reflection. Do you have a rocking chair on your porch? No? Well perhaps you can imagine one. Go Outdoors, in only in your imagination. Whatever life challenge you are facing, whatever faith issue you wrestle with, He can help. He’s waiting for you to call on Him.

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monhegan