This is My Father’s World

On By Beth AlisanIn Lessons

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.” -Psalms 150:6

Today marks the first calendar day of spring.  Yet the evidence of spring began to arrive in our neck of the woods several weeks back.  The Phoebe bird, who perches on our deck announcing his presence, has returned from his wintering grounds.  The robins now join the cardinals in a prelude that welcomes the dawn of each new day.  The bluebirds are busy shopping the birdhouse real estate market in search of this year’s nesting site.  Buds fill out the tips of various trees and bushes while green blades and early spring flowers dot the garden and forest floor. The days now draw to an end with the melodic chorus of peeper frogs floating up from the wetlands.

Rue-Anemone Wildflower
Blueberry Buds
Hepatica Wildflower

With each passing day, I find myself growing increasingly restless when stuck inside. I grab every opportunity to work outdoors much to my Lab’s delight. As I take in my surroundings, I can’t help but see the words of Psalms 150: 6 unfolding around me- “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.”

I see the praise first in my Lab.  It comes in the form of her peacefulness and contentment as she lies in the grass, basking in the warmth of the sun, her nose tilted upward as she catches the smells carried on the passing breeze.   Next, I hear the melodies of the various birds as they move among the trees.  Their praise is in the song they sing from dawn until dusk.  Finally, my eyes scan the garden where I see the petals of the crocuses open to the kiss of sun and the leaves of the lilies and strawberries stretching skyward.  Their praise is in their vibrant colors that reach toward the heavens.  It is in this place surrounded by nature’s praise to God our Creator that I find a song of praise pouring out of my own heart.

“I will praise you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” -Psalms 9:1-2

I can only hope that you too will slip outside and join in Creation’s chorus of praise to our Lord. (See Psalm 148)

“This is my Father’s world,
And to my list’ning ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas—
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world:
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world:
He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass,
He speaks to me everywhere.”

-Maltbie Babcock, 1901*

*Babcock, Maltbie. (1901).  “This is My Father’s World” [Lyrics].  Retrieved from URL  https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/This_Is_My_Fathers_World/

© 2021, Lessons from a Lab, Beth Alisan.  All Rights Reserved.

29 thoughts on “This is My Father’s World”

  1. This was so beautifully written! You painted a picture of spring so clearly that my heart will remember the portrait. God is good. He is always good. His creation is magnificent, and every blade of grass and each flowering tree is His own. Thank you for this piece on spring, like a high flying kite to awaken our hearts and spirits to the new life we have in Christ. Happy Easter!

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    1. Thank you Linda! With your comment, you have given me a beautiful gift of words – “…spring like a high flying kite to awaken our hearts and spirits to the new life we have in Christ.” Wonderful words to carry with me as I enjoy new spring blooms and anticipate Easter Sunday.

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  6. scribelady

    “This Is My Father’s World” is one of my favorite hymns, and Psalm 148 is one of my favorite psalms. All around I can see what the writer expresses. There are times it seems nature cannot wait to give praise to God!
    I admire Adi’s shining coat. Adi and the crocuses go so well together!

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    1. Thank you for sharing such beautiful and true words- “There are times it seems nature cannot wait to give praise to God!” Adi thanks you for the compliment on her coat. One way she celebrates spring’s arrival is by rolling in the grass. When she hops up, her coat is covered with dead blades of grass. As a result she is getting brushed frequently which in turn is adding an extra gleam to her winter coat. Hope you have a lovely day!

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  7. Buck

    Amen! What a beautiful message for this time of year! Renewed in presence of the Lord this Spring. Thanks for sharing words of wisdom and awesome pictures. Adi makes the crocuses look good! 😃

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  8. Jerry Naylor

    Thank you Beth for articulating so well many of our feelings as a new spring arrives. I once knew a very old woman who along with her husband used to have a business selling wood and kindling. One very cold winter day I went to their house to purchase wood and kindling. I found her, back to the wind, dressed as warm as can be with a tarp over her shoulders as she took pieces of chopped kindling and blind them with strips of rubber. As we conversed she said that she could not understand why anyone would say there is not God because as she surveyed everything she could see and the natural beauty of her surroundings she said that “If God didn’t make all of this, who did”? She perfectly understood the meaning of Romans 1:20 – we are without excuse for not acknowledging God, our creator and the creator of all that our eyes can see.

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      1. Jerald Naylor

        On Sat, Mar 20, 2021 at 17:38 Lessons from a Lab wrote:

        > Beth Alisan commented: “This is a wonderful story Jerry! It compliments > this lesson perfectly. I’m so glad you took the time to share it. She > sounds like such an admirable woman who knew and loved the Lord.” >

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    1. Thank you Pastor Pete! It seems to be a fitting song to have running through your head while out of on a walk. I enjoyed the additional chorus this particular artist added to the end of the song. I had never heard that before. I hope you are enjoying some lovely weather down your way.

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  11. I am glad you can get out and enjoy spring Beth. It’s still frozen here but just reading about it and seeing a picture with flowers in it boosts my spirit.. I’m playing “this is my fathers world” for a funeral today. Actually it’s a celebration of a life well lived so a perfect song for any occasion.

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    1. I guess we are a bit further south than you. Hopefully the warmer winds will begin reaching its tendrils north and start the spring thaw. Before you know it you’ll need to pack up the ice fishing gear and start getting your boat ready for the water. The ending part of this hymn, ” This is my Father’s world: Why should my heart be sad? The Lord is King: let the heavens ring! God reigns; let the earth be glad” is perfect for the celebration of a life well lived.

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  12. Amen, Beth! There’s nothing like being out in God’s creation. Beautiful photos, as always. This truly is Our Father’s World. May we take the time to connect with Him in it. You’re looking good, Adi! Blessings.

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    1. Thank you David! One way Adi celebrates the warmer weather is by rolling in our yard. When she hops up she’s covered in dead grass. Thus she’s getting brushed a lot which is making her winter coat even shinier. Have a great weekend!

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  13. What an utterly beautiful post Beth, you paint an enthralling canvas of Creation awakening. It is looking more like spring here too. Nice to see Adi appreciating the crocuses. Thank you for this peek into your countryside sister, God bless you this weekend.

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    1. Thank you Alan! I’ve always lived where there are four distinct seasons and enjoy how nature heralds the arrival of each in a distinctive way. It’s good to hear that spring has begun to make her appearance in your area as well and hope you are able to get out to some of your favorite walking spots.

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