The Landscaping of God

It has been breathtaking to hike the foothills and mountains this Spring. The trails are lined with such a variety of flowers and growth. I am amazed that even with the small amount of rain we got this year, the plants have burst forth in the most brilliant color and array. They seem to grow so effortlessly, as they are visible among rocks and crevices. I try to provide the best conditions for flowers in my garden, and they don't seem to thrive as well as the ones in the harsher conditions. I wonder why that is?

The colors are always what draws me to the plants. It seems as if the yellow blossoms are the first to bloom, and then comes the pinks, the blues, the oranges, and then my favorite ones, the purples. Some also have a subtle sweet fragrance that overwhelms you as you walk through paths that are lined with them. I always have felt that aroma from flowers is an extra gift from God. Not only are you amazed by the beauty of the bud, but you actually are given a fragrance something that you cannot see or touch, but only breathe in. It's as if you are inhaling beauty itself!

What would a hike be without the wild life awakening as well? This year I haven't spotted any deer yet, but from a distance I have glimpsed at a brown bear. Gypsy Rose and I were on our way up on the trail, thinking we would go on up the foothill path. I was carefully surveying the trail, and saw a few hikers up ahead of us. But there on the ridge was a round, dark brown "spot." I stood and watched, it moved, not like a deer, not like a coyote. It was much too big and too brown, "That," I told Gypsy, "was a bear." So we postponed the additional hike that day. The same brown "spot" appeared when I was hiking a few days later with my friend in beautiful Etiwanda Falls. I pointed out to her what I saw on the near distant hill, and she too agreed that was none other but a brown bear!

I am so grateful for all I have seen this year in God's garden. I only wish I was as creative in my gardening as He has been with his landscaping. The streams, the waterfalls, the cliffs and canyons all filled with color and life always overwhelms me. Each hike I go, even if it is on the same trail, may be a different picture for that day. The best aspect is the conversations that I share with my hiking buddies. Their friendships are the fragrance that fills my heart with joy and love!

Get out and breathe in God's goodness from His very own garden!

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Mary's Heartbeats

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