Getting Back to Nature

We recently made a decision to get out and appreciate nature whenever possible.  We both love being outdoors and enjoying everything that Mother Nature has to offer (except ants, bees and mosquitoes...I'm still working on that).  So whether it is getting outside and working in the garden and yard or driving an hour to spend the day hiking, we both find such peace in the experience.
It has also been a great time to see and reflect on some of God's love and truth.
These pictures were taken at Starved Rock National Park.  It is about 2 hours southwest of Chicago.  We drove there last weekend to enjoy some hiking and checkout the area in more detail.  At the end of June we are looking to take the boys down there for a weekend of boating, water skiing, and tubing....as well as nature walks and explorations.  We are really excited about sharing this with them!

As we were walking around, I was reflecting on the beauty of it all.  Not more than 2 months ago those same trees were bare, the grass still brown from the winter, perhaps some snow may have still been on the ground.  And then, 2 months later, a beautiful rebirth.  A little sun and water is all it takes.  You consider land that has been devastated by forest fires.... within a short period of time, life and beauty start to peek through the ash.  Is that not true for ourselves as well?  Sometimes it is after we go through an emotional fire that new growth and beauty can seed itself in our souls.  It is reflections like these that make me continue to love and appreciate the whole process.  It is beneath all the ashy remains of prior unloving beliefs that new loving ones can begin to grow and expand.... just a little prayer and faith is all it takes.