The howling wind ripped the door out of my hand, flinging it against the guardrail as I stepped out of the office. Was a storm brewing? I should’ve paid more attention to the news, not that the weathermen are ever accurate in their reporting but I could’ve had some idea of what the day’s weather held.

Across the yard, the lemon tree grabbed my attention. The bright yellow spheres shone through the dismal gray, blustery day bringing a little color into our day. Beyond them towered the pines. The pine trees are my favorites, reaching towards Heaven, giving birth to glorious crosses at Easter reminding us of the One who made himself the form of a man, being birthed by a woman, living as we do, and dying on the cross before finally rising again on the 3^rd day.

It never fails to amaze me how all of Creation points toward the Creator and praises Him. Everything that has breath and life praises the Lord. The stars twinkle at night praising His name because He holds them in place. The sun shines brightly during the day praising His name showing us He is a God of brightness and glory, high and holy. The birds sing about Him telling us He is a God of joy and happiness. The animals praise Him, taking care of their young, showing us how He cares for us. The wind and waves howl praising Him, showing us His strength and power. The trees and flowers bloom year after year, showing us His faithfulness. He is always there for us.

He didn’t create us out of loneliness. He created us to praise Him. His mighty works and beautiful creation sing of His greatness, His love for us. The same creation that worships Him was created for us to enjoy, to see its beauty and have a daily reminder of His love for us.

What a wonderful testimony of God’s love!

But I can praise Him better than that. So can you. I can praise Him better than His earth does when my heart of worship sings songs to the Almighty God. I can praise Him better when I create a quiet, sacred time to dwell in His Word. I can praise Him better when I pray without ceasing, spending hours beseeching His throne with requests, laying down my burdens, and getting to know Him even better.

I can praise Him better than the lemon trees, with their golden spheres dancing in the breeze or the pine trees reaching toward Heaven. I can praise Him better because He deserves it. Can you?

Psalm 150

Praise the Lord.

Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens.
 Praise him for his acts of power;
    praise him for his surpassing greatness.
 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
    praise him with the harp and lyre,
 praise him with timbrel and dancing,
    praise him with the strings and pipe,
 praise him with the clash of cymbals,
    praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.