Today my Bank was asking me how well I slept last night, how much I feel I am carrying, are things getting on top of me, does life feel heavy – all on a scale of 1-5. Apparently scammers know that certain days are worse then others for people and they take advantage of these times when we are all more vulnerable.

I know a young person for whom life is very tough. Almost every day is one just to be survived and lived through. And sometimes the getting through proves too much and everything crumbles and goes to pieces. From this point it is a long way to climb back up out of the pit.

However when D was writing to me this week, the comment was made that the things of nature are so exquisite and detailed, and the colour combinations are just so beautiful that only God could have been so creative. Why do we doubt God? In these few words I sensed that for just a few seconds, peace had passed into the heart and given something pleasurable and cheery even if only or a very short time.

Another person with whom I am in touch described going for walks in the night into the woods and meadows and just taking the time to stop and be still, to hear the soft rustlings and sounds of the night, to see the antlers of a deer passing nearby, or the silvery light of an almost full moon. The fragrances of the night are very special as the come to the nostrils.

For just a few moments both these people experienced something different. It was the effect of the nature around them or within their sight. I have often wondered if troubled minds would be helped by a period of time in nature where they could feel the nature effect and be benefited. A wellness centre offered the option of alternative accommodation, a log cabin that opened onto a lake far separated from other troubled people. There in the morning stillness, they could hear a fish jump, and watch the ripples or see a shy bird in the reeds or admire a sunbathing dragonfly. Slowly the shoulders could drop, the breathing slow down, and let the nature effect take over and pour its tranquility on a distressed heart and mind.

This is what our God intended for us. He gave the nature effect. Maybe we should take time to find it too for a few minutes each day – and say Thank You!