Nature Study

I am so blessed! By the grace of God alone do I get to continue on the odyssey of life. I get to try and try again to do my very best. Even if my very best isn't perfect. I have been told being perfect isn't necessarily being Christ like. At first I wasn't so sure I agreed with this. But after absorbing this statement I am thinking I agree.

I look all around me and I see all the beauty God has created. But as I stop to take in the sights I find that some of the most beautiful things aren't what I would have first thought to be "perfectly" placed. When I see a birds nest in a artificial flower arrangement or a lonely orange tree in the middle of an out of control forest I gain so much pleasure. These things are so perfectly placed for my enjoyment. They have been "painted" by the great creator for my viewing pleasure.

I have lost some loved ones in my life. People who I loved very deeply. At the time I thought why, how, is there any good in this? Then along comes "new" life in my family. People God knew I would need at the perfect moment. They are my tangible things here on earth. The people God has placed in my life because he knew they have lived a life that would be able to give me support in my times of need.

Which makes me wonder why can't I fully believe in the grace my saviour has given me. Oh my head believes it but I will be honest and say my heart has trouble believing that God will love me even when I'm not perfect.

We began the year doing a nature study once a week. I love this time with my boys. They love this time in the great out doors. We come home and recap what each one of us enjoyed or what had the biggest impact on us. I am so amazed at how much the boys and I have grown as nature lovers this year. The things we see now are things I know we missed in the beginning. If I didn't go down this road of imperfection I can only imagine the beauty I would miss. I'm thankful God teaches me a little at a time.

I am still learning about how to put pictures on so because of that I can't figure out how to post pics like everyone does and write things to tell about each pic under them. So I will just tell you here about the pics on top. lol
The rose is from a rose tree we planted a few years back over the place we buried our sweet dog, Macy. Macy was Chases dog that we all loved so much!! Each year this plant gives us the most beautiful roses that we don't do any work at all for.
The second pic is of the boys and I with my aunt. We have had two great weeks in a row enjoying some of Gods "perfect" creations at her house. (she is one of those great tangible things God has given me)
The last pic is of a Sand hill Crane that comes to my aunts yard every day waiting for her to feed it. You can't see in the picture very good but right behind this bird is a single wide trailer that I would never have used as a back drop for such a majestic creature. But once again its those not so perfect things that are so appreciated. The boys loved having the chance to give this beautiful bird food. My Chase is now calling our aunt the "bird lady" (she had the baby woodpecker last week)