As I sat on a bench in this botanical garden in Oak Glenn, I couldn’t help but be captivated by the sheer beauty of the scene. The more I looked at the imagery before me, the more I discovered.

1-I sensed an appreciation for the boundaries God has placed in our lives to keep us safe. The fence to keep people on the “path” was simple, but carefully constructed with an appreciation of the big picture in mind.

2-I thought about how I was benefiting from someone else’s labor. Sitting on a bench someone else built and enjoying the view someone else cultivated reminded me of how much I enjoy, in this life, because of the effort of others who’ve gone before me.

3-The lush green scenery gave me a renewed gratitude for God’s provision, including His rain.

4-It dawned on me that I was sitting on one tiny bench in a vast universe…and yet God knows my name. He knows yours too, and cares. Wow!

“I wonder why you care, God— why do you bother with us at all? All we are is a puff of air; we’re like shadows in a campfire.” (Psalm 144:3 MSG)

What do you see in this scene?