Recently I went through the new nature trail that LCRA has built in San Saba. As I was walking through it, it had sprinkled some that afternoon. RD Williamson was giving me a short tour and telling me some about his “growing up days” in San Saba. The leaves were falling from the trees and turning different colors. Every year most of the trees go dormant for a while and the process is a beautiful, but sad one. It is beautiful because of the colors that splash across God’s canvas. Reds and yellows were falling from the trees as a gush of wind caused them to turn loose. A touch of green was still on some of the trees and the green fescue grass made the scene one that was, to me, beautiful. There were clouds in the sky and the water was running from Mill Pond into the San Saba River. The weather was cool and it was a good day to be out. It is sad in a way because we know that the trees will be without their leaves for the winter. The robust trees stand tall with their arms outward and up holding nothing. It kind of makes it sort of gloomy. Two things I would like to mention from this: first, I am reminded of our God who we serve. He has given us His nature to enjoy as we pass through this life. The trees are needed as is the water, Water gives a drink to our earth; the plants, the trees, and even to those of us who need it. The animals, raccoons, squirrels, deer and the other animals are part of His Creation as well. They have the freedom to roam about. The other thing that came to my mind was the thing we call hope. For some people they never see any hope. The only thing they see is what is before them… trees that are bare. Nature that does not look beautiful at the moment will certainly transform in the spring. The leaves will come back, the flowers will bloom, the grass will grow and the animals will come. Hope springs eternal. Because of a cross 2,000 years ago we have hope. We do not have hope because of who we are or what our status is in life, but what we have through Jesus Christ. He gives us hope. And He has promised a beautiful place to His disciples. (John 14:1-6) So do you have hope? Go see God’s creation and know that you do!