lifewithclaire

[lifewithclaire]

When I moved to South Carolina, my perception of nature changed. I was introduced to agriculture. Nature is the clay dirt roads and the dust that chases after me. It is the peach fields that bloom in the spring. It is the tall pine trees and the pollen that falls from their cones. It is the fish in lakes. It is the coyotes that lurking in forest. It is the pastures we sow and the seeds we plant. It is the spirit of the horse. It is the color God chooses to paint the sun every sunrise and sunset. Nature is the chickens, cows, and pigs that feed us. It is racing back and forth on the top of hay bales. It is the serenity found at the top of a mountain or the middle of a valley. Most importantly nature is where I find God.

[lifewithclaire]

I grew up in a small town in northern Indianan. Our red brick house sat on a hill, a long curved stone drive paved the way. Black shutters framed the house and a dark green door welcomed us inside. Chickens roamed the yard. My best friend was my dog, Jäger. Sometimes, he and I would chase the chickens in circles, making me laugh until I fell over. In Indiana, every season brought new weather. In the summer, the sun beamed through the trees. We would go to the lake and swim in the pool to hide from the summer heat. In the fall, a breeze came to cool the earth and the sky filled with leaves of red, orange, and yellow. My family and I would go to the corn maze and get lost for hours, enjoying each other's presence. In the winter, snow fell and froze the ground. My sisters and I would make snowmen and sled until the sun disappeared. In the spring, rain washed away any remnants of the season's past. I would play in the puddles, covering myself in mud from head to toe. No matter the season, my friends and I loved going on adventures. We were always exploring and making the most of what we had. There was an innocence that consumed me. I saw only the pure natural beauty and joyfulness of the world.

[lifewithclaire]

Catch a flight

Have you ever had a decision that didn’t go as planned? Sometimes our decisions don’t turn out as we plan, even though it seemed like the best option. We wake up one day and realize that our life is a mess and we moved away from God. Although we moved away, God never left us. He waits for us to repent of our rebullious ways and place ourselves under His authority again. Then He will restore us and give us new life and dreams. When it looks like the end of the road, it is time to turn home. Catch a flight back to God. There He waits for us. “If you return to me, I will restore you so you can continue to serve me.��� Jeremiah 15:19

[lifewithclaire]

I want to go outside more. I want to explore. I want to feel the wind in my hair, the Earth between my toes, and the warmth of the sun on my skin. I want to wonder through the mountains, valleys, and jungles. I want to see the Earth live. I want to feel the Earth breathe. I never want to miss a sunset. I want to see the sky change colors. I want to get away from the standards and troubles of the world. I don’t want to live in the world, I want to live on Earth. I want to live with the trees, oceans, animals, and sky. I want to run with the wolves, fly with the birds, and swim with the fish. I long for something beyond this world, something only the Earth can give, something so simple, words can’t describe it.

[lifewithclaire]

Hope is the product of suffering. In my walk with God I have had many trials. Many times I have questioned God’s plan. But in every trial I faced, I had something to gain. Each trial has taught me valuable lessons and brought me to where I am today. Romans 5 :3-5 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”

[lifewithclaire]

BE HERE RIGHT NOW. When you really think about your life, you realize how precious each day is, for you and everyone around you. Each day we make decisions, decisions about what you do, what you wear, what you say. We control much more of our lives and others lives than we realize. Each day we have the opportunity to love. Love your family, friends, and even strangers. Love and appreciate where you are and what you have. Life is not easy for anyone. We never truly know what is going on in others lives. Everyday we must love everyone, always. And it starts with loving yourself. Life is delicate. We never know when the last day will be. Love today!

[lifewithclaire]

I once visited the state of Montana. It was far more beautiful than I had ever dreamed of. You can stand in the middle of the city and look in every direction and see the mountains. You are completely surrounded by mountains. A 10 minute drive will take you through the mountains that have been hand carved by God. The fields are full of cows and wildflowers. The lakes glisten in the sun. Almost all of the land looks completely untouched by man. If you ever visit Montana, you will see why people fight so hard to protect the land

[lifewithclaire]

My favorite insect is a butterfly. Butterflies are magnificent, stunning creations of God. The movement of butterflies, dancing between flowers is agile and swift. From a caterpillar, to a chrysalis, the butterfly emerges in her unfurling glory. Butterflies are deep and powerful repressions of life. They are not only beautiful, but also posses mystery and meaning. Butterflies represent spiritual resurrection, transformation, hope, and life. My mother one told me, “Butterflies are angles sent by God to say hello and remind us of His selfless love. ” Butterflies are my favorite insect because of their eternal beauty and the message they portray.

[lifewithclaire]

Life at the lake seems so simple. Time seems to fade away. You can spend all day on the water and not have a care about the world you left behind. The sun kisses your skin. The wind circles you and carries your worries away. You sing along to your favorite songs. You swim. You surf. You tube. In the evening the lake is so calm one ripple can shatter the glass water into a million pieces. You sit fireside sharing stories and making s'mores. But nothing compares to the laughter and time spent with your family. Those memories will never fade away.

[lifewithclaire]

Have you ever received flowers?

For most people, flowers are received on occasion or not at all. You may get flowers on an anniversary or birthday. Yet the fact is, dead people receive more flower than the living ones. Why is that? According to Anne Frank it is because "Regret is stronger than gratitude." The regret of not saying or showing love is stronger than appreciating and loving in the moment. But what if we changed that fact. What if we started appreciating the time we have with the people we love. What if we show our gratitude for others while they are still with us. Everyone deserves flowers. Flowers are a simple reminder of how loved we are. Make someone feel special today. Give flowers.

[lifewithclaire]

I love the watch the sky change colors. It blows my mind the sky can go from black to blue, from orange to yellow, and then from pink to purple. I often find myself lost in awe of the beauty God has created. Every sunrise and every sunset remind me of God’s infinite power. The same God who has the power the change the sky, has the power to change the world. He is the way maker, promise keeper, and light in the darkness. He is almighty and all powerful. He can do all things impossible to man and His plan never fails. 

[lifewithclaire]

Nature is such a powerful place to be. Nature is a force, a force beyond control, a force no man can change. When surround by nature, you are surrounded by God. You can feel the His presence with every blow of the wind and kiss from the sun. You can hear Him calling you closer with every sound that echos in the night. You can see the glory of His goodness in every mountain top, every tree that lines the Earth, every wave in sea, and every valley full of wildflowers. When surrounded by God, you experience complete and total peace.