I've spent the better part of this week in Western North Carolina, the land of Appalachia. I've been surrounded by pine trees, waterfalls, mountains, and forests. I've seen many a sunset over the valley, and I've seen tons of wildlife. It's a beautiful, magical place that I love with all of my heart, and I'm so beyond blessed to have the opportunity to spend the week here.

I've been spending the week with my best friend and her family-- one of my favorite families ever-- and we've been travelling all over the western part of the state. On Sunday, we went hiking at a beautiful area called Stone Mountain. As I reached the summit of the trail, I was greeted with miles and miles of misty blue mountains-- the Blue Ridge-- and was surrounded by evergreen trees and gorgeous rock and boulder formations. I looked back at my friend and exclaimed, "how can you look at this and not believe in God?!?!" I was in absolute awe over His creation. It baffled me that people can believe that all of this beauty happened by chance, by a perfect accident. It was no coincidence that these mountains formed for miles, or that those trees stay green even in the dead of winter. It was no accident that we had to stop in t he middle of a road for a stunning 5-point buck, or for the blip of an orange figure that we believed to be a sprinting fox. It was by no chance that the sun set in pinks and oranges over Pilot Mountain on our drive home. It's all part of God's beautiful, wonderful handiwork. He orchestrated each and every tree, sunset, animal, and breeze. He created it all for us, His people, to enjoy and celebrate.

Go outside, wherever you are. Look at the mountains. Look at the beach. Look at your skyline or your neighborhood. Appreciate its splendor and its beauty. Take a deep breath. Feel the cold air (or the warm air; I don't know where you live) fill your lungs. God made it. He made everything you see, hear, touch, or feel. All the beauty of the world was not a coincidence or a matter of science. They say you can't see God, but you can see His creation, and until we see Heaven, that's the closest we will get to the Lord himself. Appreciate each sunset, each drive to school, and each day, whether it's the most brutal hotness you've ever felt or the most bitter cold you've ever experienced. When you see a sight that you can't help but gasp at, think of the Lord. Thank Him. He made all of it.

The Lord made the world, and the Lord made you. You are just as beautiful and wonderful of a creation as the world outside. Whether you feel great about the way you look or whether you're really down on yourself, the Lord made you. He orchestrated you perfectly, just as he did with the trees, the animals, and the sunsets. Think of your favorite view of all time. It might be a mountain summit, a sandy shoreline, or a night time sky. Now multiply that beauty by about a million. That's you. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, knit together in your mother's womb. The Lord looks on you with pride and splendor, just as you look on your favorite view. He holds the whole world in His hands, you included. He cares for you and thinks you are beautiful. How can you look at yourself and not think God exists?

Look in a mirror. Look at your hair. Look at your eyes. Look at your face, smile. Appreciate your splendor and beauty. Take a deep breath. Feel the air fill your lungs. God made you. He made every imperfection and everything you like about yourself. All the beauty of you was not a coincidence or a matter of science. They say you can't see God, but you can see His creation in yourself, and until we see Heaven, that's the closest we will get to the Lord himself.

Appreciate his creation, and celebrate it each day.