Don't Hug a Tree, Hug the Creator

What a beautiful world we live in! I'm not talking about the top news stories, crime rates, different political viewpoints or injustices that occur right before our eyes. Those things are purely ugly battles between good and evil. I'm talking about white, puffy clouds contrasting against a vibrant blue sky, the intricate way a human body fits together as each part performs its individual function, the minute detail in every unique animal and plant. "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalms 19:1 (NIV) It baffles me how someone can look at creation around them and not believe that someone created it. If you believe that we evolved, where did the first organism come from? If you believe the rapid expansion of space caused energy to convert into matter, when did space come into existence, and how? You can call me uneducated and foolish, but my mind thinks it is more logical to believe that there is a Creator who spoke everything into being. I cannot believe that things happened by accident and turned out as detailed as they are. I have to believe that someone, the one and only God, had a specific purpose for it all. 

On Friday, I was blessed to go to Chanticleer, a pleasure garden with a friend and her niece. Chanticleer is a 50-acre garden, with 35 acres being open to the public. According to their website, they have over 5,000 plants. I really enjoyed the eclectic look of the garden. While it's obvious they planted certain plants in specific areas, they also have more of a "wild," natural feel with wildflowers growing amidst the more domesticated ones. Each plant was so unique; a different color, different shape to their petals and leaves, some were soft, and some were hard like plastic. Some were tall and some were tiny and dainty, some out loving the warmth of the sun and others buried in the shadows to stay cool. We followed a path that led us through shady, forested areas, a vegetable garden, short bridges that crossed over a stream complete with small waterfalls and a lot of little nooks and crannies fit for sitting and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. It was very peaceful and relaxing. 

Why is it that being out in nature, whether it's a walk through the woods or simply enjoying the fresh air, brings a peace to our soul? My theory is that it's because that is where we feel most connected to our Creator. My daughter and I are watching old episodes of "Wife Swap" on Hulu. The other night, the show had a mom who put everything else aside, including her daughter, so her son could pursue his motocross career swap places with a mom who loves Mother Earth and talks to trees and fairies. While both families had issues we could certainly discuss at length, the thing that stood out to me was the family who talked to the trees. They would hug the trees as they repeated chants. When the swapped mother had the earth loving sons try the sport of motocross, the dad prayed to the trees for protection. My thought was "Where did that tree come from? Why are you not praying to the One who created that tree?" It was totally beyond my personal comprehension. How many times do we give praise where praise does not belong? We turn our gratitude in any direction other than toward the One to whom we owe it all. "He answered, 'I tell you, if they (speaking of Jesus' disciples) were to keep silent, the stones would cry out.'" Luke 19:40 (CSB)

Don't hug a tree, run into the arms of the One who created that tree because in the end, every knee will bow. "Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!'" Revelation 5:13 (CSB)