Natural Gifts

A whole week! I know it's been a while since I've posted but it's been really busy around here. With family coming into town and trying to enjoy the sunny weather as much as possible before it's gone, I haven't had much free time. I have a couple other posts started but felt like today I needed to talk about this, so here it goes.

It is amazing to me the gifts God has given and continues to give us (by us I mean, humanity in general) and me specifically. As much as James and I talk about "getting out of Dodge" (aka Colorado Springs) and moving away for a new adventure, we have had more adventures here in Colorado than I think you could anywhere else. There are so many wonderful things to do outdoors here. And every time we head out into this beautiful state, I am reminded of the gifts God has given. Why would such a sovereign God give me gifts? I am a sinner, I try to do things on my own without him, sometimes I lack faith and I am very imperfect. But God gives me so much; Jesus, an amazing husband, a beautiful healthy family, wonderful friends, financial stability, and the list goes on infinitely.

As much as this world can be ugly, the earth itself is astoundingly beautiful. God created this place for us to live, despite our sinful ways, so that we can survive off of it and enjoy it. Ezekiel 34:26-27 & 30 "I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. The trees of the field will yield their fruit and the ground will yield its crops; the people will be secure in their land...Then they will know that I, the Lord their God, am with them and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, declares the Sovereign Lord." What an amazing gift from such a loving God! He created this world specifically for us. Genesis 1:28-30 talks about how God gave man every plant on earth, every tree, and made us rulers over all of the animals. After the fall of man (aka Adam and Eve's disobedience [Genesis ch 3]) he cast man out of Eden into the rest of the earth. And even though we are not in Eden, I can find glimpses of it in the trees, the water, the plants. Right there is proof to us that God loves us more than we can comprehend! Even after man disobeyed him, he cast us into a world with glimpses of Eden everywhere! What an amazing God!!!

Thinking back on the times where I felt most blessed by God, one stands out to me. On our honeymoon, we drove out to the middle of nowhere on the northern end of Ireland. We weaved our little car through the one-laned, rock-fenced roads heading north towards the ocean. We came up to the most awkward parking area and stopped right next to an ancient castle. We hiked down towards the ocean and sat on the smooth rocks. I looked out, cool mist on my face and the most intoxicating ocean scent I have ever experienced, and God was with me. He was more present in my heart than I could ever imagined. I was sitting next to my new husband, my partner in life, and looking out into the endless ocean. Waves were crashing on the rocks, the only sound for miles, and God was telling me how much he loves me. Thank you God.

Here are some photos of the places I've been where I have felt so close to God and so thankful for his infinite gifts.

The ocean in Ireland mentioned above

View from top of Steamboat Springs, CO

Wilderness area, Teller County, CO

Sunset off the LBI bay, New Jersey