"So that I can show My goodness."

The other day, I was going for a walk in the gorgeous weather, when I was taken aback by the beauty all around me. I couldn't believe how richly BLUE the sky was, or how vibrantly GREEN the grass was.... or how intricate the heads of grass were.

Yes, these are pretty normal things, and things that I see every day, but today it was different for some reason. It was like a veil was lifted from over my eyes, revealing a world that I recognized, but never with such clarity and overwhelming amazement. It was kind of like a baby being outside for the first time. Or a child delighted and curious about every site, feeling, and smell that is outside. Everything was so AMAZING. I don't think we take enough time to really SEE all that we take for granted...

So as I was walking along, gaping at everything, I asked God;

"God, why did you do this? Why did you decide to make this all so detailed and intricate and vibrant and beautiful? "

And He said; "So that I can show My goodness." (It was unmistakably God. It was so clear and definitely not something that I had concocted in my head.)

That amazed me. (...And I thought I had had enough amazement for the day! ;))

Once I was over the realization of how TRUE that was, I asked God;

"But, what about the bad things in nature?"

And He said; "Zoe, that's not Me. That's sin."

...

Man, it took me forever for that all to sink in. It was one of those things that is so TRUE that you feel it gradually sink into your soul, and then stays planted there never to be uprooted. Maybe after a while, it'll get buried somewhat, but it's THERE nevertheless.

God is not some old man up in the clouds looking down on us, judging our ever move with a frown. Yes, He is to be revered... but He is also to be LOVED. And so He wants to show that He is worthy of our love and that we have a reason to love Him. God is good... And He shows that goodness so that we can love him at our own choice. 

I love you, Father!! :D