By Karen O’Connor:
Photo from Wikimedia Commons
In 1996 Congress named a wonderful new addition to America’s park system. Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Wichita, Kansas offers visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in the simplicity of prairie life, past and present.
One can tour the historic town of Council Grove, boasting 24 historic sites, including the Victorian style Cottage House Hotel, and take a leisurely walk along the river. Best of all, I believe, is the chance to wander through high grasses and late season wildflowers where one can find God in nature and reflect on all He has created.
Author and photographer, Morgan Helm, in her article, Prairie Solitaire speaks to the peace and contentment of the place.
“Exploring this place is all about putting one foot in front of the other,” writes Helm—”a method that park guide Jeff Rundell understands well. ‘I just love to run out on the prairie,’ he says. ‘I love the freedom, the idea of getting out there and seeing nothing but grass and open space.’
“Beyond the old farmhouse, bluestem grass, wild coneflowers, and 500 other plant species stretch for as far as the eye can see,” says Helm. “I imagine stepping into a time when pioneers traversed this oceanic landmass on their way to the promise of the West.”
And I imagine that any visitor would come away with a sense of awe and wonder, realizing they don’t have to be in a church to encounter the divine. They can find God in Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve and all they have to do is get out there among the tall grass and wild flowers and bask in these gifts from their Creator.
A close look a nature truly shows the majesty of God, as described in the article with remarkable video: Finding God in Fingers, Fibonacci, and a Fingerprint. We must take care in not worshiping nature itself, but to find God in nature as its majestic creator and thank Him for that. It would be interesting to know what prairie plants follow the Fibonacci formula (God’s fingerprint!) wouldn’t it?
If you do get to Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve, this YouTube video will show you what you can expect.
©Karen O’Connor. Karen is an author, writing mentor, and frequent contributor to the Finding God Daily blog. Visit Karen on the web at www.karenoconnor.com, on Facebook, or follow on Twitter @karenoconnor.
