Something of the marvelous
Mendenhall Glacier, near Juneau, Alaska 2000
“In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.” — Aristotle
I’m not a cold weather person, but I love the beauty of snowy landscapes. From the lacy brilliance of an ice-covered branch catching sunlight, to the stark magnificence of Alaska’s glaciers, frozen water takes an endless variety of forms, each a singular masterpiece.
Defeat Despair 
Yes, water – frozen is one end of the spectrum, including the lacy appearance of cirrus clouds. Who hasn’t marveled at the mist rising from a magnificent waterfall? The vapor rises, will it become a cloud? If the clouds coalesce and build with energy from another source, will they become a thunderstorm? The life most healthy among us is but a “vapor” in the King James version of James 4:13-15. They didn’t have whistling tea kettles at the time of the Lord’s half-brother, so maybe the New International version’s “mist” is a better translation here. In any case, or should I say state? water is what defines us, in many ways. From the scientific fact that over half our body weight is made up of water, to the mist representing the brevity of our earthly existence – water – frozen, sublimated, steamed, or otherwise – has a message for us.
Eric, from your many years of flying, you’ve seen more clouds than most people see – “from both sides” as the song goes. My earliest memories of flight are the stunning sight of fluffy clouds beneath the airplane, brilliantly lit by sunshine. It amazed me that we could fly right through them, yet they were so substantial to the eye. I can remember hearing you and Daddy discussing the various types of clouds and how exotic their names sounded to my very young ears.
Marvelous is right. Masterpiece is right! All for us…just imagine!
This is one of the places we can go when I take you on that retirement cruise! 🙂
God Morning, Praying w/o ceasing in Agape Love 4 you & yours & the Nations. Be Strong. (i’m almost finished w/ reading Be Strong by Wiersbe & Rooted by Pura) ❤
We really appreciate the prayers – the bad news just keeps coming but we are being upheld by all the prayers and good wishes. I haven’t read those books yet – I’ll have to look them up. Thanks for visiting with us here today.
When Paul & I walked out to Mendenhall Glacier, I was awestruck by the Power & Beauty provided by my God! Thanks for your uplifting photos & words!
I love you & hold you in my heart & in prayer to THE One who cares!
Mary Ann, thanks so much. It is always a joy to hear from you.
One of my favorite days on our trip to Alaska was the hike around Mendenhall Glacier. We stopped by a waterfall, tasted fiddlehead ferns (reportedly, they are even better sauteed in butter) and climbed some wooden steps. I slipped & landed on my bottom more than once (darn new boots!), but I’d love to go back!
Yes, Mendenhall is unforgettable. I didn’t even realize that fiddlehead ferns were edible! I, too, hope to go back to Alaska, and would like to visit Mendenhall (among many other places) again.