As I write this, I am in North Carolina looking across the ripples of Lake Hickory while I wait for my sister to get ready so that we can take a walk. It’s a gorgeous Sunday morning. Having been in some roasting temperatures this past month, it’s nice to have a reprieve. My phone says that it is 73*, and the breeze makes it very pleasant.

In the past 5 weeks, I have been from Michigan to Mississippi to Arizona to New Mexico to Kansas to Iowa and everywhere in between. I love seeing how different each state is with its unique topography, but at heart I am an eastern girl. The Rockies just don’t compare with mountains that are covered in trees, consisting of leaves that become brilliant in autumn.

In Romans 1:20, Paul tells us, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”

I do wonder how anyone can look at creation and doubt that there is a God. When I become overwhelmed with the stresses of life, going outside and looking around at the trees and sky can quickly restore a serenity as my focus turns back to my Father.

If you are going through a rough time, I encourage you to get outside. Take a walk. Find a friend to go with you or make it a time for you and God to get alone and have a peaceful place to talk. If you own a boat, get out on the lake. Ask God to restore the peace that He desires for you. He loves you so much. He’s just waiting for you to draw near to Him so that He, in turn, can draw near to you.