As the days go by, I find myself exploring more and more of this wonderful Earth. No matter where I go it seems that there is always beauty hidden somewhere. It may take a bit of effort to find, or be just in front of you, but no matter where there is beauty that can be found. When I state that I find myself exploring more of this wonderful Earth, I am focusing on nature in our Earth. It is apparent that beauty comes in many forms, from humans, animals, art, and many many other things, but lately nature is specifically what has been striking me.
About 2 weeks ago I visited the city of Seattle, Washington and also the city of Victoria, British Columbia. Both fairly large cities with many manmade items. However, while many items were beautiful, such as the Space Needle and the many hotels in Victoria, there was not much nature to be seen in said cities. Alas, I found myself noticing many green trees on the freeways as my family and I drove from place to place. Being from California it is not everyday that I see something that is really GREEN. As I looked at these green shrubs, trees, etc. I realized how beautiful something so simple can be.
I believe that as a society we so often take nature for granted. We see a tree in California and are just like "Oh look some shade!" But oh, it is so much more. When you get a variety of different plants in an area, maybe around a river, swamp, or mountain, it really shows the true beauty of nature. All these things are on our planet just for the eye to see, for us to enjoy; really puts in a perspective that all of this couldn't of just happened out of nowhere.
While it may be true that a place such as Busch Gardens was planted by men and women, and preserved by them as well, it still stems from something that is so much more. A loving God who is able to do anything in the world created nature to not only sustain life, but for us to enjoy. We look at areas that are untouched by man, but may have communities of animals living in them, and plants that are being preserved perfectly. God allows weather and animals to play a part in these said aspects of nature and it is a beautiful thing.
Just a couple days ago I was on a retreat with my college's Spiritual Life department and I woke up at 5:30a.m. in order to go on a hike. Now you may be thinking I'm crazy for waking up that early; I thought it was crazy myself. However, as I climbed in pain and became exhausted I eventually made it all the way to the top. The second I looked out to see the view I was speechless. Everything I saw, from the mountains across, to the rocks below my feet, to the river and trees near the camp, was beautiful. I began to question how some individuals could say that this all just happened by chance and like I stated before, God is the one who I believe made the nature around us.
Looking out into nature was wonderful and it does not hurt to stop once and a while and enjoy a tree that gives you shade. For this I have an all powerful God to thank.
