“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” — Psalm 16:11
…In the efforts made for the restoration of the sick to health, use is to be made of the beautiful things of the Lord’s creation. Seeing the flowers, plucking the ripe fruit from the trees, hearing the happy songs of the birds, have a peculiarly exhilarating effect on the nervous system. From out-of-door life, men, women, and children will gain the desire to be pure and guileless. By the influence of the quickening, reviving, life-giving properties of nature’s great medicinal resources, the functions of the body are strengthened, the intellect awakened, the imagination quickened, the spirits enlivened. The mind is prepared to appreciate the beauties of God’s word.
Why should not the young men and women who are seeking to obtain a knowledge of how to care for the sick, have the advantage of nature’s wonderful resources? …
…God helping me, I will do my utmost to show the life-giving power of sunshine and fresh air. How much better it is for the sick to be in the open air than within four walls, decorated though these walls may be with many pictures. (1)
What an influence an outdoor life among the flowers and fruit-laden trees has upon those who are sick both in body and in mind! … The heart is softened by the objects of beauty in nature, that the great Master Artist has given to mankind as pictures in which are portrayed His goodness and love. (2)
Life in the open air is good for body and mind. It is God’s medicine for the restoration of health. Pure air, good water, sunshine, beautiful surroundings—these are His means for restoring the sick to health in natural ways. …
It is worth more than silver or gold to sick people to lie in the sunshine or in the shade of the trees. And whenever opportunity offers, let those in charge of them draw lessons teaching the love of God from the things of nature, from the lofty trees, the springing grass, and the beautiful flowers. Every opening bud and blossoming flower is an expression of God’s love for His children. Point them upward to Him whose hand has made the beautiful things of nature. (3)
Charge for the Day: Get out into nature today and spend time in the open air and sunshine. What lessons about the love of God can you draw from what you see in nature? Make it a point to make this a regular part of your life.
1. Letter 71, 1902
2. Manuscript 43, 1902
3. Manuscript 41, 1902