My husband, Don, and I have always loved traveling to new places around the US and showing our kids around this incredible country. Last Spring, we went southeast to Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon National Parks and this past Christmas it was a trek to the Northwest. Don researched our route and was excited to explore new sights in Oregon and Washington.

The Bourne five headed out after Christmas in the San Francisco Bay Area with my parents, and spent the first day driving north on the I-5. It was lots of open farmland until we got just past Redding, and then there was that first peak of white above endless trees – Mt. Shasta… white, massive, something to behold. It was so crisp and the evergreens had started to cover every open spot.

Day 2: Klamath Falls – more mountain peaks shooting up in front of us, and the lake that was nearly iced over completely stretched for miles! We hadn’t seen white like this for years. I honestly had no idea there were so many trees for hours of miles.

Day 3 was Bend, Oregon… walking along the winding Deschutes River in white powder, surrounded by the Cascades in every direction – unreal.

Day 4 was barren plateaus of white followed by the Columbia River gorge and waterfalls all along the way to Portland.

Day 5 was a rainforest, dripping with moss and a rushing river hidden in suburban Southern Washington…We hadn’t had this sense of wonder since I don’t know when. It was so peaceful – most of the time our response to the views was of quiet awe.

Awe… wonderment… amazement… reverence… stupefaction (now isn’t that a fun word?!).

It’s so rare that we get into a state of mind like that. But as Don and I talked about the views and sights, he said something that stuck with me. To see such scenery, he said, “it puts me in my place… and I need to feel small.”

We need to feel small in order to get ourselves to that perspective that brings reverence – deep respect for the things our Creator has made. To stop and be amazed by His work has a way of refreshing our soul. But more than that, it puts us in a posture of “worship.” When we are struck by God’s incredible work, we acknowledge His Almighty nature. Our perspective is turned upwards, (as opposed to downwards into our own belly buttons, as we do in our natural state).

 He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind, and who reveals his thoughts to mankind, who turns dawn to darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth-- the LORD God Almighty is his name.

-Amos 4:13

We belong to this God who has complete mastery of this Earth – it’s mind-blowing if we really think about it. And we, as parents, get to assure our children of that very fact. We get to say, “The God who made that great big mountain, or that giant ocean out there, or this huge tree… He made it for us to enjoy and for us to see His wonderful work.” What a joy to share in that wonder with our children. Sharing God’s wonders with them is to help them learn what it means to be reverent. Just simply stopping to really look at that big leaf on the ground, or helping them find cool rocks, or just taking a walk and asking them what their favorite tree is… moments like these are precious and they are our God-given joys as moms and dads.

I pray that you will find much joy in sharing God’s creation with your children. No doubt, our Father finds a lot of joy in sharing it with us.

 …He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deeps in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.

- Psalm 33:7-9

Here’s a prayer that you can pray with your child – or simply go around the dinner table and ask each person to thank God for something He made. Give your family a simple opportunity to practice worshiping the Lord right there at home.

Dear God,
Your world is so incredible. Thank you for making it such a beautiful place that we get to enjoy. We are in awe of your power and we are thankful for every beautiful detail of your creation. You are Lord of All. Amen

Sarah Bourne 
Early Childhood Director