God is Great

As I was casting around for a painting this week, I discovered this marvelous one by Albert Bierstadt. I usually think of Bierstadt as a painter of heavenly landscapes of the American West. He was very influential during his time because his work was the inspiration for many immigrants to travel the overland routes in wagon trains to see and claim their piece of the Garden of Eden.

Seal Rocks, Farallons, 1872, Albert Bierstadt (1830-1902) oil on canvas, (h) 13.7 x 49.5 inches. Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Image Source

I was surprised, however, to find that he had created such wildlife paintings as this and I must confess it stole my heart. Gazing at this scene, I can imagine the sound of the ocean waves crashing against the rocks and feel the mighty gusts of wind blowing against my face.

I am reminded of a lovely vacation road trip I took with my husband up the Pacific Coast Highway to see the Elephant Seals sun bathing on the way up to Big Sur. The road was closed, so we were unable to make it all the way to Big Sur, but it really was the best day ever because we were able to pull off the road and enjoy the scenery at a very leisurely pace.

Seeing this reminds me that God is Great and we live in a world of great abundance.

How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures…when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. May the glory of the Lord endure forever, may the Lord rejoice in his works. ~ Psalm 104: 24, 28b, 31

May God Bless you this week as many of us will be enjoying an arctic blast of winter…peace be with you.

Jennifer