Today, I went hiking in Crocs. You know, those hideous plastic boats that everyone referred to as shoes like eight years ago? Ya, bright orange ones. I hadn’t planned on it, actually, I hadn’t planned on hiking at all today. But, my lovely dog Mocha decided today was the day she did not want to fetch, but instead, hike. So that is precisely what we did.
As we began this hike, I was really annoyed. I did not have time to be hiking with my dog, I needed to get things done! I have a 5K to plan, thank you cards to write, dinner to prep, and meet with a friend, all before my brother’s concert tonight! There was no room in my schedule for a hike. However, God quickly changed my thought process as I continued my quest through the woods.
Images began to flash through my mind as I remembered bits and pieces of the time I spent in these woods when I was a kid. The scent of grass, sage, and manure filled my nose as I walked. Birds twittered all around me and I could spot whitetail deer farther out, hidden within the bows of an evergreen. Not another soul was in sight as I trekked my way down to the river.
It amazes me, how, being in the middle of nowhere by yourself can instantly make life seem so small. Everything that seemed so important at the beginning of my hike became pointless in comparison to the beauty surrounding me. God opened my eyes to His creation that lives right outside my door.
Romans 1:20 says, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse”.
I encourage you all to step outside of your busy lives and look for God’s qualities in the nature around you. It just might be the relaxation you’ve been longing for throughout your week. Maybe even slide on a pair of crocs in the process.
