To be admitted to Nature's hearth costs nothing. None is excluded, but excludes himself. You have only to push aside the curtain. ~Henry David Thoreau
This Saturday my soul found a little corner of heaven to rest in as it breathed deeply for the first time in quite awhile. Heaven's white shawl covered the earth and trees when I opened the blinds to the sliders to take our puppy outside. I froze...my hand suspended, having just released the cord. This warranted my attention. It was as if all of nature was reflecting brightly the glory of God for all who dared to look upon it.
Oh I dared and I drank richly!...I was so blessed because that day I had been given the opportunity of a day free from any responsibility. That day had been set aside for our kids to spend with my parents and I already had their sleds and gear packed in the back of the van. Showers taken we headed out, them happy to spend a day with their grandparents and me, anticipating some time out in nature.
After I had dropped them off, on my way back home to my sleeping husband, I pulled into the state forest near our house. I love this place!! It is so important to have nature available to people and state forests are a great place for people to connect...and reconnect to nature. I had my camera and was excited to capture some of the wonder in my lens and recreate it digitally for all to see. I attempted to do that in the picture above.
That day was such a day of restoration for me. I feel closest to God when I am surrounded by His creations. I find myself more at home deep in the belly of a forest than at some social gathering among others. It is where my soul can take flight and feel free. I believe we all can find comfort and relief and even ourselves in nature. And maybe even, if one opens their hearts and spirits to its glory...a piece of heaven itself.
