We started this project in 2019, and here we are in 2023 still working on it little by little in the grand scheme of things. We’re observing, waiting, doing, and observing again. Each step of the way we see something new, like a patch of wildflowers out of nowhere, the seeds or roots waiting patiently for the day scrubby trees would give way and unveil the sun. The day fire would remove the duff layer, warming the soil, recycling and adding a certain suite of nutrients, waking the seed to its environment from days gone by.
The natural world God created has so much wonder, and so much to learn from, and what seems like, at times, so little time to do it in. But God sees fit to create and re-create on a time table not ours. Some things, so beautiful and intricate seem to take unmoving time to develop, such as the successional trend of a forest, or mineral formations in a cave. Other things of great splendor come and go in the blink of an eye such as the beauty and uniqueness of each snowflake, God sees fit to create millions in one event, just to melt and vanish in a few days, all to do it over and over again.
Who knows the mind of God in all this. All we can do is study, be patient, and don’t rush past the things He wants to teach us in the twists and patterns of the natural world. There is great wealth here, but not always the kind you will see in a quarterly report.
Forestry requires a lot of patience, but don’t blink.