Before Mother Nature, voices sound hollow, shadows redundant.

I slow my pace, lest I disturb her quiet, peaceful abundance.

I muse on Eden, where all was meant to exist in harmony.

Each after its kind—grass sprouting, birds chanting, trees blooming naturally.

It seems if this picture held no mankind, it would not feel desolate or left behind.

I ask myself then: What were the expectations of God when creating man?

Were we to be humble, like dust and light,

Or rule as “crown,” bound to conquer and fight?

Consider the deeds of our race, our credit and blame face to face:

We can send our kin to outer space, yet through war, destroy our own home base.

We battle for glory in endless chase, then weep for our lost conscience and grace.

At this moment, His sorrow is clear, why He deeply grieved for making us here.

The human heart, deeper than all it appears,

Can build countless wonders, yet know life less than an ant, through the years.

Then how shall we find what we seek?

The wisdom is shown by the lowly and meek:

Flowers bloom silent, beauty they speak;

Dogs give their presence, week after week.

They ask for little, but their devotion is deep.

Yet mankind is tethered to greed, for love, bread, and carriage, we greedily plead.

If only like them, from these burdens were freed, life could be light and graceful indeed.

Our countless pursuits are all vain.

Why not yield all our burdens and strain?

Trust that all things work in their due chain,

For everything holds His meaning and gain.

Cindy is a passionate preschool teacher and a bilingual writer. She also serves as a news broadcaster at Bread of Life Christian church in Seattle.