The Nature Whisperer: Seasons of Light: Inspirational Messages Where Gardens Grow

By Gloria Hill

Dr. Gloria Hill uses gardens and the natural world as a metaphor for delivering uplifting insightful messages. Hill's spiritual journey has led her to share thoughts that intersect life in deep and meaningful ways. As The Nature Whisperer, she presents guiding wisdom from nature's own hand, fusing it with works from enlightened souls and biblical truths. The Nature Whisperer: Seasons of Light soothes and caresses the soul, from nature's soft voice that floats in on gentle breezes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Covenant Books, Inc.
• Release date: Feb 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9781644682067

Book preview

9781644682067_cover.jpg

The Nature Whisperer

Seasons of Light

Inspirational Messages Where Gardens Grow

Dr. Gloria Hill

ISBN 978-1-64468-205-0 (Paperback)

ISBN 978-1-64468-206-7 (Digital)

Copyright © 2020 Dr. Gloria Hill

All rights reserved

First Edition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Covenant Books, Inc.

11661 Hwy 707

Murrells Inlet, SC 29576

www.covenantbooks.com

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Spring

Finding Stillness

Following the Sun and Other Journeys

Awakening to Your Purpose: An Easter Message

Finding Your Spiritual Center: Communion, Unity and Revelation

Waiting for Answers in a High-Speed World

Summer

Balancing Life

My Garden: A Gateway for Understanding

Feeding the Right Wolf

Unexpected Summer Volunteers

Flying Jewels: Our Flight of Free Will

Autumn

October Rose: Bravely Making Her Way

Faith and Doubt

Seeking Your Bedrock

November’s Message: A-Blazing GraceA Time to Rejoice

Winter

Winter’s Clarity: Looking Beyond

December: Winter’s Ornament

From Bethlehem, An Open Hand: Come as You Are

The Magic of Christmas Eve Snow

Tribute to Robert Frost

Timeless

The Mighty Oak: Embracing Body, Mind, and Spirit

Timeless Presence

When Joy and Sorrow Meet

About the Author

Dedication

This book is dedicated to Lauren, my loving daughter, who teaches my grandchildren, Lucas, Marco and Lianna, the wonders of nature.

Reflection in the Pine Barrens

Photo by Bill Wranich

The sky is my prayer, the birds are my prayer, the wind in the trees is my prayer, for God is in all. (Thomas Merton)

Acknowledgments

With gratitude to Don who listens and helps me craft words.

And a special tribute to my good friend Carol Beyer whose encouragement inspired me to continue my writing.

*************

Spring

I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose, I would always greet it in a garden.

—Ruth Stout

I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose, I would always greet it in a garden, with my grandchildren.

—Gloria Hill

Finding Stillness

Winter is ebbing and giving in to an early spring. I can finally sit under my tree and breathe in moist morning air. I seek early dawn stillness. The sun is peeking over the horizon, flashing through spaces between distant houses, occasionally spotlighting my front yard. It outlines my maple tree, now dotted with thousands of buds, some of which have erupted into tiny green shoots. They canvas and separate the sky into two different skyscapes. To the left, the sky is a robin-egg blue. Encroaching on the other side of the tree are grayish clouds. They are on the move.

Hmmm. I wonder which side will prevail.

But an early morning hummingbird comes into view diverting my attention. I have seen him before, or maybe it was a cousin. Unlike me, he is not easily distracted. He knows his mission and flies directly to the purple and pink hyacinths. Then he disappears. Gone. That fast.

With his swift exit, I return to my split-screen sky and see a ceiling of gray on both sides of the tree. I am beginning to wonder about morning stillness. An illusion? I wonder about that but not for long. A striped ground squirrel scampers into view. He stops, jerks his head in several directions, then continues, against a chorus of awakening birds, squabbling about the day’s business.

I too, have the day’s work to consider, but for now, I wonder about the stillness I originally sought. There is nothing still about the dawn. My revelation is that I came here to be still, not to find stillness, for what I observed quiets my mind. I find restoration in merely being, in observing nature, even for a short while. And upon my departure from my morning nook, I will take it all with me:

the focus of hummingbird

the caution of the ground squirrel

the momentum of fast-moving clouds

and the promises held in the blue sky, seen and unseen

promises to come.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. (Psalm 139:14)

Following the Sun and Other Journeys

It’s a soggy, warm April morning. During the night, a pelting rainstorm ran over us like a speeding train, leaving our yard fully drenched. This morning, remnants of the storm are clearly visible. New blades of grass have shot up, spiking through minuscule slits in the sidewalk. Morning glories, looking like fluted stemware, are glistening with rainwater. Reaching their tipping point, they are ready to spill out their watery loads.

I see droplets of morning dew bubbled on velvety blue green Hosta leaves as shimmering as diamond necklaces—Nature’s sparkling jewels on display. Dawn’s breath is fresh and clean.

That prior evening, we ventured outside to grab the last bit of blue sky before the inevitable storm. Unexpected guests soon arrived. A gaggle of Canada geese sauntered by, perhaps to enjoy a brisk walk before the rain. Continuing a casual yet steady pace, they shuffled by us, single file, the gander’s attentive eyes on us. A few minutes later, they returned in the other direction and then, to our surprise, back again for another curtain call. I read that they walk to find new food sources, but I like to think