Imagine the Garden

Genesis 1:11-13
Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.

Spring’s first heartbeat honors winter’s last breath. -Angie Weiland Crosby

Tim and I have been walking Rosie at the local park. As we hike along the trail, I’ve spotted a variety of flowers blooming. The yellow celandine blankets the forest floor, Dutchman’s breeches wave their miniature pantaloon shaped petals, and Virginia bluebell leaves are sprouting. Green has popped all over and the robins are tweeting a welcome to spring.

When I witness the change from winter to warmer weather and the brown shifting to shades of green, I’m reminded of the creation story. When God made the world, He added plants. He knew we’d need not only the produce from the vegetation, but the beauty of the flowers.

As we walked this morning, I considered the Garden of Eden and the glorious place it must have been. All the amazing plants in God’s original creation must have looked and smelled incredible. Imagine the perfection.

I’m thankful He blesses me with the beauty of nature in our little corner. No, we don’t experience a land without scars or blemishes, but we do have a hint of the place Adam and Eve left behind. The hint of the possible beauty of heaven fills my heart with hope. As I spy a hyacinth’s fresh bloom or the brilliant color of a tulip, I’m reminded of how much God loves me. He cares for the flowers and loves His people even more.

Enjoy spring and appreciate God’s gift of beauty on earth and the ultimate glory of heaven.