God's Choice

                                                                "God's Choice"



                                                                          By



                                                                  Jerry Steele







Everything was in place.



God had created man and woman. He had created all that there would ever be. He had shaped it in his own vision. The universe, stars, plants, birds, and the animals that were now free to roam the earth.



Still, one thing remained.



What season would bless planet Earth's first day?  The angels sensed his mood. Four of the bravest decided to float down to be by his side.



"I've heard your words. I know your thoughts," said God, as the four angels settled in. Angels Goodness and Grace landed on his left shoulder. Angels Reflection and Remembrance settled in on his right shoulder.



"Bring forth your choices, one at a time, and I shall choose," God said.



"I propose Spring, for the first day to be in March, April, or May," said the angel Goodness. "It should be a time of dreams, and a time of change."



Spring entered God's cloud, on a carpet of endless sunshine. Spring bowed his head to God and said, "The first day should be in my name, for I bring warm, fresh air to Mother Earth, and with your blessing, rain to the farmer's land, flowers to the child's hand, and lush, green grass on which all animals may graze."



"True, Spring, your seasons brings hope and  joy and promise to this new world. Crops and flowers are planted, along with the seed of hope, and yet the sun cannot warm everyone, everywhere."



"But Spring also brings goodwill," offered Goodness, "shouldn't that be enough?"



"Good will among men, a season cannot bring," said God. "You do offer hope, Spring, and a time of renewal of man's spirit, that much is true. On this fact, I will consider."



Angel Grace brought forth Summer, shining brightly, in the heavenly sky.



"Summer comes in June, July, and August. The time of year when planet Earth will be full of life," announced Angel Grace.



"I offer my maker three months of sweet pleasure," said Summer. "With your blessing, it will be a time when warmth embraces the earth. It will also be a time when all plants flower and bloom. It will be a time when food, to feed man, grows in abundance."



"Yes, yes," God said, turning towards Summer in his cloudy throne, "but man must not be distracted by food alone. His duty is to please me, and to treat the plants, animals, and all that surrounds him. Your warmth does warm his soul. On this fact, I will consider."



Summer then entered the chariot, taking a seat next to Spring, awaiting his fate.



"God, I present to you Autumn," Angel Reflection said, "a season of change."



Autumn knelt before God and said, "It will be that time from September to December. With your blessing, it will be a day when leaves turn golden brown, and cover the bare soil. It will be a day when crops are brought in to harvest."



"A time when some of my plant creations go to sleep,Autumn," said God, looking down now on this planet Earth. "It's also a time when warmth turns to cold. A time of great beauty to the land, and to the mountains that graces this planet Earth. On this fact, I will consider."



Autumn took the third of four seats, escorted by his Angel Reflection.



"This is Winter, God," said Angel Remembrance, as she walked him before God's throne, "a season from the months of late December, January, and February."



"Winter, your is a time when snow and cold grips the land. It's also a time when great beauty and joy is brought to all of my children," God said. "It's a time when all of my creatures think back on the past year, and what once was. On this fact, I will consider."



Winter took the last seat, as the horse waited patiently, and the four angels waited anxiously for God's decision.



After a time God approached the golden chariot and said, "No one season is more important or valued than another. Angels, lead this chariot to earth. On my command, each season will then leap to the ground, and begin their work. In this way, each of you will share the first day on earth."



Spring sprung from the speeding chariot first, immediately casting sunshine and cool winds to the land with her left hand, and soft, soaking rains to her right.  Rivers and creeks swelled with rain, as the ducks, beavers, and otters made home in the thick reeds and riverbanks.



Minutes later, Summer followed, landing with a heavy thud, setting off a rolling thunderstorm across the dusty earth. He lumbered across the land, pouring out rainwater as he went, from a giant barrel soaking plants, giving the grateful, thirsty animals endless ponds of water from which to drink. Sunshine followed, and quickly, butterflies and bees floated above the sunflowers and dark, green grass.



As anxious Autumn fell head over heels towards planet earth, her left foot clipping, shaking the trees, sending leaves of red, green, and brown tumbling to the ground. As she stood up, Autumn shook her head of long, light brown hair, and sent cool breezes down through the valley and off into the mountaintops. The squirrels took this as a sign of things to come, and began their daily routine of gathering nuts for the days to come.



Winter was the last to leave the chariot, and as he did so, the horses struggled mightily to keep the chariot from turning over. Winter shook his shaggy head, sending  snow, ice, and sleet covering the land. Icicles hung from heavy tree branches, and the polar bears roamed the Artic Circle.



God settled back to watch his creations, and to see what was to come.





                                                                THE END