Spring Forward!

My parents may have outdone themselves this time! For Christmas they gave me a new, fancy-smansy (yes I did just make that word up) camera. I have absolutely no idea what I am doing yet but it's so much fun! 

I have found that landscapes are probably my favorite "subject" (look at me being trying to use photography lingo, ha!) which is no big surprise to me.  There is nothing I enjoy more than being outdoors and soaking up the beauty of our Father's creation.  There is a beautiful quote by John Burroughs that says it best: 

" I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order."

With the colors of spring beginning to burst forth in all of their radiant glory I could not resist sharing a few of my favorites from today's outing.

Mom says the Red Bud flowers look  like clusters of grapes.

 It's amazing how things can change in just a little over a month's time...

Amazing right?

It is so cool to me how His majesty is revealed in such a visible manner, which is why the next picture is probably my favorite. So without further ado....

I know you are probably thinking "what on earth is so special about that single picture?" Well I probably would be thinking the same exact thing had I not come across this quote earlier this week:

"A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it. It just blooms."

You see I fall trap to the temptation of comparison all of the time. All too often I compare myself to others and when I do not measure up, it leaves me feeling inadequate. Capturing this image served as a visual message from the Lord reminding me that He created me for a unique plan and purpose and that it is time for me to stop comparing myself to others (Whom He has also created for a unique purpose and design. That's YOU!).

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

-Emily