Relentless rain and wind today but the trees hardly moved; needle-straight and bereft of foliage on the greatest part of their trunks, most stand in close proximity to each other. Every once in a while there are gaps between swaying green crowns, providing space enough to see what lies beyond.
Marching 'round the first bend in the walking track my eyes move from Pacific expanses to a dense, verdant stand of pine trees. The change of scenery is sudden and complete for even on brightest days the scene is dark with a hint of risk. Someone or something could be in there but not likely, I tell myself.
If things go as planned, however, there will be someone there - four hundred "someone"s, in fact. Negotiations have been underway for months, if not years, for the construction of a large school on the property. Near the current high school building, this one will house students from mainland China, a series of events that will inexorably change the entire culture of our community. Already investors from that country have pumped money into our economy; already, businesses long sporting For Sale signs have been purchased by investors. Some citizens are happy; others, not so much.
In my mind it's a time to give thanks: thanks for a potentially significant boost to our struggling economy; thanks for new challenges; thanks for the opportunity to learn and, thanks for the opportunities to demonstrate the values of openness and kindness we claim to possess. There may even be opportunities to learn another language.
I'm soon walking parallel to the forest and I can't help but think of God's tender care for His all His creation.
"Let the field be joyful and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord…." (Psalm 104:12)
