19. take the time to notice

If you've ever watched an episode of House Hunters, you know that people are quite particular about their landscaping. Companies spend thousands of dollars to bring in the perfect arrangements, making their land a welcoming place for consumers to spend money. But let me ask you--when was the last time you stopped to actually marvel at the landscaping? Not your typical "Oh lookie, that house has some nice shrubs!" When were you last in AWE of the creation we so demand?

On a retreat to Prince of Peace Abbey in Oceanside, I discovered multiple leaves around the premise. I was so enamored that I started collecting them and storing them in my journal. They were all different. They had different ridges, edges, colors. Some were firm and some flimsy. Some were prickly and some inviting. I stopped to notice nature and couldn't help but wonder about the designer of them all. "Why so many leaves, God?" 

In college, my sweet friend Katie and I used to spend our mornings together observing The Lord. We would wake up early (or snooze 5 times then get up, but who's counting?) and sit in the living room to complete a journal entry, read scripture, or walk through a devotional. One morning we decided to sit outside. We planted ourselves on the patio and gazed at the trees. This sparked a conversation between us about creation and how it screams of a creator. We stopped to notice nature and it was the most effective devotional of all.

Gorgeous Kansas scenery (photo credit to Hayley Keener)

"For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and the sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God." 
- Romans 1:20 (NLT)

Did you see what Paul did there? He wrote that when we look at nature, our response should be knowing more about God, even knowing God personally. If it isn't our response--we aren't looking at it right.

I would encourage you to take time to observe nature. Don't just look at it, but really think about it. Where did it come from? How long has it been there? Why is it there? What does it say about God? What doesn't it say about God? This world would be an awfully boring place without any trees. Imagine the world without them for a moment... sad, huh?

Take the time to notice, you might just learn something that changes you.