Sometimes we are so busy with our “To Do” lists that we forget to take a break. And when we do heed the nudgings and step away from all those tasks for a day or two, the rewards are so great that we wonder, “Why didn’t I do this sooner?”
Our interim pastor, Brian Conklin, did just that this week. The results of his “break” was a beautiful article for our July newsletter. I am delighted to share that article with you here. Enjoy!
Reflections on Psalm 8:3–5
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?”
—Psalm 8:3–4
I spent the first day of July winding my way up Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park—awestruck by the mountains, shaped by glaciers over hundreds of thousands of years. Honestly, the only reason I made the trip was because friends were visiting from out of state. Like many of us, I had a full list of things keeping me tethered to home in Ennis: dogs to feed, a lawn to mow, a garden to water, an overdue article to write, and a Sunday service to prepare for. A trip to Glacier felt impractical—out of the question, really.
Once again, I had placed myself at the center of my universe, absorbed in my own schedule and priorities. But I had made a promise—and so, I went.
It took less than five minutes inside the park for everything to shift. My eyes lifted from my to-do list to the towering peaks above me. With every mile we climbed, my world grew smaller. The grandeur of creation was overwhelming—humbling in the best way.
At Logan Pass, we hiked through lingering fields of snow toward Hidden Lake Overlook. Along the way, we passed a herd of bighorn sheep, spotted a grizzly below, and watched in amazement as a mother mountain goat and her newborn walked straight down the trail toward us—so close I could’ve reached out and touched them. I stood frozen, breathless with wonder.
That hike filled me with awe and clarity. It made me stop and remember the words of the psalmist:
“What is man, that you are mindful of him?”
To stand surrounded by so much beauty, so much power—wild, ancient, and untouched—and to believe that the Creator of all this is also mindful of me? It’s almost too much to comprehend. I felt small, yes—but also cherished. Insignificant and yet beloved.
My priorities? My worries? They suddenly seemed like paper boats in a vast ocean.
It’s sobering to think it takes this much grandeur to lift my head. How easily I become consumed with my own concerns and forget that the world does not revolve around me. How easily I forget who I belong to.
I’m grateful for the reminders—whether from mountain peaks or quiet whispers—that the God who shaped the stars also holds us close to His heart. When we lose sight of that, our days fill with noise and urgency. But when we remember, everything shifts into perspective.
Henri Nouwen once wrote:
“You are my Beloved, on you my favor rests…
That truth will set you free to receive the beauty of nature and culture in gratitude, as a sign of your Belovedness…
But that truth will also allow you to let go of what distracts you, confuses you and puts in jeopardy the life of the Spirit within you.”
So let us lift our eyes. Let us marvel at the works of His hands. And let us walk through this life—humbled by the majesty around us, but confident in the love that holds us fast.
Regards, Brian Conklin
Thank you, Brian, for taking a break, and for sharing those lovely insights with us! I’m so glad you and your wife, Dawn, are a part of our church family! What a blessing!!
My WordPress friends, what “break” have you taken lately? And how did it affect you?
Enjoy each beautiful moment. Extended family is so precious!
Our daughter, De, her hubby, André, and our Swiss daughter, Sylviane, with Bob & me. Back in CA, our daughter-in-law, Monika, with our great-granddaughter, Mable. So precious!!Time with #1 grandson, Mike, at a wine tasting yesterday. Precious moments!!The house across the street from us. Look closely at the label there!Can you imagine what was happening in the USA when this house was built in Switzerland?This is Sierre in the Rhone River valley. We’ve perfect weather this entire week we’ve been here. These are the flowers next door to us. That kind of color is long gone by Oct. 31 in Montana!The snow-peaked mountains back in the Madison Valley looking up at the Madison Range … today the valley is snow-covered, too. By the time we return home, all the autumn leaves will have fallen. No, I’m not missing the first days of winter which come late Oct. in MT!And I’m not sad to be missing Halloween!🎃 Here they celebrate the Day of the Dead by taking flowers to the graves of their loved ones.
May your Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 be days of loving remembrance.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.”
God’s dollop!
Looking out my dining room window, I see a strange sight. God put a dollop of whipped cream on the little peak we call “The Beehive.” I eagerly grab my camera and capture this unusual sight. It won’t last long. Soon the cloud went behind the mountain. But, the picture is a gift of happiness while it lasts.
Our skies had been gray and smokey for over two weeks as smoke from forest fires over 150 miles away blew into our Madison Valley. So, seeing the blue sky and a cute little cloud so perfectly placed was a rare treat!
Driving home from Bozeman after dropping our dear Daughter #2 off at the airport, we could see promising blue sky up ahead. The blue sky was peeking through at the airport, too. Laina had not seen it during her entire 10 day stay!!
That was smoke hovering above, but rain clouds in view. I eagerly awaited the storm to wash the smoke away. See how shrouded the mountains were and how dirty the air was?
Sure enough, the next morning, we could see the mountains clearly again!
Dear Lord, Thank you for the gift of clear air! I prayed eagerly for it. Thank you for answered prayers. God is good! Amen
The word of the day in Guideposts Daily Word is “Eager.” “I eagerly give myself to life,” is the by-line. “Eagerness helps give my life meaning. It is the feeling of positive anticipation, purpose, and confidence.”
I pray that you are bringing eagerness to all aspects of your life, too. The more energy and enthusiasm you share, the more you will have to share because it is part of your divine inheritance, a gift from God. Claim it!
This is an AI generated photo of a person feeling eager. And here is a photo of me feeling eager:
Eager to make a wish. Eager to blow out the candle. Eager to have my wish come true. It was for clear air and blue sky. God is good! My wish came true.
Now my blog is ready to update. I have a few questions for you:
What do you look like when you are eager? How are you living life eagerly? What wish do you have for a brighter future? I pray your wishes come true, too.
Now, I don’t mean to offend those of you in cities who love living where there are bright lights, lots of traffic, big buildings, and crowds of people. BUT,
Give me one main street, cars I can count on my two hands, businesses who know customers by name, plentiful opportunities for building friendships as well as volunteering to help others, mountains in the background, and a river that runs through it… and I’ll be happy!
My favorite places to go in my little town? 1. Our independent version of McDonalds is “Sugar High” (It has great burgers and terrific huckleberry shakes) 2. The Manor Nursing Home (I love helping the residents there – it’s such a loving place) 3. The Madison Valley Library (We have a five star library… doesn’t get any better!) 4. Lion’s Club Park (The walking trail bordering the Madison River is divine)
In a little town like Ennis, you can see the stars at night. No bright lights to block out their beauty…
Our TazE already said her good-byes And now Lucille will make way for “Charlie.” He’s our new blue addition – And no, he’s not a Harley!
We may be crazy sportsmen, Loving to get outside and play, But our “Lucille” trail riding days are over. Are you interested in taking her out someday?
Oh, and Happy Autumn to you, my friend! It’s a gorgeous day with blue sky & puffy clouds. I love seeing all the changing colors. Go up in the mountains to view them… avoid the crowds!
