My Father's World

So yesterday I had a rare Saturday off and I chose to make the most of it by taking the day and going to a state park nearby and hiking with my dog, Brooklyn. Besides my little girl with me, ;) it was solo trip and I have to admit I was looking forward to some time away from everything and where I could just go alone and be in God's gorgeous creation. After hiking a bunch of different trails, playing in a cave and Brooklyn playing in the creek...ok me too. ;) I had a rejuvenation and a revelation. A couple of months ago, I mentioned that I felt like God was calling me to write a book at some point...and I was leaning along the lines of a devotional. However I wasn't quite sure the theme or the main idea I wanted it to take on. Obviously horses are a big part of my life,  I want a future ministry with them and I do hope to a separate book devoted specifically to them someday. But this one, I want to envelope more than just that. God seems to speak to me most through His creation and some of the most simplest processes of nature and life. And today as I was exploring sinkholes, caves, springs, waterfalls, and limestone canyons, I felt wonder and awe at all the things He has crafted so beautifully. I got to do a little bit of reading as well and read this verse in Colossians:  ^"Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." (2:6-7) In this verses God uses a tree or plant to describe how we should in our faith. Throughout the Bible, He uses imagery and elements of His creation to express principles. (Ps. 1:3-4, 11:1, 18:33, 42:1-2, Matt. 6:26, 1 Pt. 1:24-25)  I believe words that create these pictures in our brains, give us an easier way to grasp concepts and remember them. With this in mind, I am hoping to begin the journey of writing a devotional based off of the spiritual truths and insights that I believe different elements of nature and what I like to call the "simple" life, give us and how some of the most basic things in life can have such great meaning. My main goal here rather soon is to get a title chosen that can really encompass the objective that I hope to present throughout the book. I am excited to finally have a direction now for this adventure of mine and I ask that you please pray that God would allow the words and ideas to flow so that I can best present them. The beauty of His creation is so unfathomable some times, that I hope to just do it even a slight bit of justice. :)  
And I also want to take a moment to express how important it is for us, to take some time away and be on our own just surrounded by God's greatness. I am learning more and more in my day-to-day hectic life, that quiet time spent just to think, read, listen and pray is so important. We need to be rejuvenated and restored after the world has left us wearied and worn. We need to take time alone and listen to His voice, even it just comes from the trickling of a creek or the breeze blowing through the trees. It refreshes and energizes the soul I feel and we need that time even if it is just at home in a quiet spot away from distractions. Set the time aside and I am certain you will not regret it! I believe it makes us all better equipped to face the days ahead. 
So these fingers are going to hopefully start getting busy and hopefully your feet will be as well, to go spent time in the Father's arms.

This is my Father's world,
the birds their carols raise,
the morning light, the lily white,
declare their maker's praise.
This is my Father's world:
he shines in all that's fair;
in the rustling grass I hear him pass;
he speaks to me everywhere.

This is My Father's World - Maltbie D. Babcock, 1901