Life in the Palmetto State: Winds in the scriptures

I have a place on my farm that I go and sit to pray and read my Bible.

It's an old woods pond that I have worked on over the years to expand and deepen.

It's not much and ridiculously dry right now, but it's my go-to for solace and peace.

I never know what God wants me to read, so I open my Bible and lay it on my lap and let Heaven's gentle breath turn the pages to where I am supposed to read and gain wisdom from God's holy words.

As I look toward Heaven and relax, it's like God is hovering just above the treetops looking down on me.

As I lean back and gaze toward the heavens, I ponder the truths the Bible speaks about so plainly yet so complexly.

The Bible is filled with wisdom and knowledge from centuries ago but so poignant for today's times and culture.

I marvel at the stories and parables I read straight from the scriptures inspired by our Heavenly Father.

You know, nature is like life.

It hosts a variety of species, some beneficial, some not. The groups of trees are like people. All shapes and sizes but living together.

I guess the biggest similarity is the fact that change is a part of life, even in nature. Seasons come and go, and so does change.

Those hardwood trees adorned with such color only have those leaves for a season.

The leaves fall off every autumn and burst forth with life every spring.

Change without a doubt.

Speaking of hardwood trees, as I sat looking at a beautiful morning sky last Saturday morning, I watched many gum leaves let go and drift silently to the ground. It was almost like tears from Heaven, to steal a title from an old song.

They didn't appear as tears of sorrow, but tears of joy.

It was as if they were finally glad to let loose and glide aimlessly to their final resting place. I think they were tired of holding on.

One of the verses I felt like God wanted me to read this Saturday was found in Zephaniah 2:3, where it said, "Seek the Lord all you humble of the earth who have carried out his ordinances. Seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden in the day of the Lord's anger." Pretty plain, isn't it?

Listen, folks, nature can turn up the silence and turn down the noise.

Don't forget God doesn't come in the earthquake or in the fire or in the storm. He comes to you in a still, small voice, and nature is a great place to hear him.

If you only go out on your porch, carry your Bible, open it and let God's heavenly breath turn the pages. You will be surprised what you might find.

May God bless you!

Lee Reaves Jr. is president of Clarendon County Historical Society.