Close to the Earth - Close to God

When we lived in Africa one of my favorite things was my garden - Over the years I had collected over 250 species of tropical plants, taking cuttings from the gardens of many people over the years, as well as digging up wild plants, ground lilies, pulling orchids off of trees and regrafting them onto my own. Something about working with nature, nurturing it, watching it grow and best of all, watching the flowers come into bloom, always drew me closer to God. I always marvel at the perfection and beauty in each flower.

The past year however has been one in which we have lived in the city, in a house without a garden, with only little reminders from the landscaping of neighbor's yards to glance at at a distance in passing.

Now we are finally living on our farm where every day I can breathe in the the vastness of the unending pastures, the sound of the wind blowing in the top of the trees in the woods, the sounds of mysterious birds busy in the forest, the amazing variety of wildflowers growing at every turn, the soft chorus of frogs in the distant pond at night, and the peaceful solitude of the country with a rare sound of a tractor or truck passing by in the distance maybe 2 or 3 times a day.

Today we spent hours outdoors, cleaning out the barn and putting up fences around the pasture. It was hard work, but good work. Here Jim and I feel like we can finally really become whole again after all we have been through. It is a place where God's presence is evident like never before. How true the statement of the apostle Paul in Romans 1:20: "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse."

I think all too often we get caught up in the business of our modern lifestyles and fail to recognize the simplest things that are there to draw us back to God. That is why I think I like nature and the outdoors so much. God's echos are everywhere. When I hear the chorus of birds singing, I weep, because in them I hear the voice of God saying, "be joyful, do not fear, do not worry, enjoy life in my presence, embrace the simple, be happy in the moment, there is hope, there is newness of life." When I see the intricacies of a delicate orchid I hear God whisper, "be humbled and in awe of me, the Creator, for only I could create this; you too are fearfully and wonderfully made."

A friend pointed out a great quote today from the blog of Ann Vaskamp:

"One difference only between the dirt in my hand and my hand... The breath of God."

May we never forget this.