The beauty of all things created is not lost on the woman whose eyes light up with pleasure

at the colors so brilliant, the uniqueness of every plant, every bloom.

Creator God has not disappointed.

What she sees as she walks through the spectacular display

is but a reflection of the One who delights in His creation.

Her countenance displays peace.

Contentment.

Pure joy.

Seeing the fruit of the vine and the fruit on the tree,

her hand reaches out to enjoy the bountiful pleasure.

Though her senses are satisfied, her heart is not.

She craves more.

She wants want she cannot have.

What she dare not partake.

Yet she chooses to listen to the voice that tells her that it is her right.

“Did God really say?”

Questioning her Creator is only the beginning of her downfall,

as she brings along another who will succumb to temptation.

She has chosen.

As have I.

The consequence is my own,

with no one to blame but me.

I am not lost on the beauty and the tragedy.

Joy turned to sorrow and regret.

God’s plan was perfect, though thwarted.

Planted, cultivated, and nurtured,

the garden continues to grow despite the thorns.

Pruning when necessary, He knows

every tree,

every flower,

every vine–

this Gardener of mine.

The Bible tells us that God created man and woman and placed them in a garden. Eve chose to disobey God’s orders, placing blame on the serpent while Adam succumbed to his own temptation, then accused Eve. We are not far from this picture when we see how often it is that we try to blame someone else for our own sin. God is God. He knows when we mess up and is not interested in our excuses. We alone bear the weight of our wrong choices, though the consequence can be far reaching—but we can trust God when He says He will forgive us completely when we come to Him in true repentance.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his faithful love
toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed
our transgressions from us.
 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.
For he knows what we are made of,
remembering that we are dust.

 As for man, his days are like grass—
he blooms like a flower of the field;
 when the wind passes over it, it vanishes,
and its place is no longer known.
 But from eternity to eternity
the Lord’s faithful love is toward those who fear him,
and his righteousness toward the grandchildren
of those who keep his covenant,
who remember to observe his precepts.

Psalm 103:11-18