Rain, Gardenias, and Jesus...

So what all do these three have in common?? I love all of them!! 
 Rain is the most peaceful sound ever and I like rainy days where I can grab a book or good movie and chill under a blanket. Rain is so refreshing and smells great; probably because it cleans all the dirt and makes everything clean. Two things with rain is walking before it rains, when the wind kicks up and then walking during the rain on a warm spring or summer night is wonderful! haha...I once walked with a friend at school, Maddie, barefoot around our campus when it was like 35 degrees...needless to say, we about froze! One of my favorite lyrical lines "I wanna wake up with the rain falling on a tin roof" is from "Come Away with Me" by Norah Jones. My house lets the sound of rain in really well and every time I hear it...I smile and just chill. :) 


 Gardenias are my favorite flower and they smell heavenly! I had a gardenia plant that bloomed twice while I had it and the blossoms smelled wonderful. They are gorgeous flowers and they are dainty and simplistic. Their scent is different from any flower I've ever smelled. It's a light, spicy, flower scent. Almost like jasmine, but not as strong and heady. Now that my plant has long since died, I've yet to find any more plants and so I just burn candles and wear the fragrance. haha you do what you can, right? 


 Then...Jesus. He brings a smile to my face; a huge smile. Not only did he create the rain and the gardenias, but He created every plant, season, person, and element in the world. Now, I realize that God created the heavens and the earth and that Jesus is God's Son, but according to what Jesus says throughout the Gospels, He and His Father are one. So when I say Jesus created everything...it feels and sounds weird to say "well actually God created everything, Jesus' father, but they are one". But there is no mistake in that Jesus, God's Son died on the cross for my sins, and the sins of the world. Jesus' willingness to do and follow God's guidance and direction even to His death, still amazes me. And to think He gave His life for me? That someone could love me so much they would do that? Wow. I've been reflecting on God's grace so much this semester. It is truly amazing the grace that we have been continually offered and we're just asked to trust, believe, and obey and love Him in return. God is truly an amazing and incredible God!!