More from Susan Maas

Ever since I was a child, I have loved spending time outdoors, enjoying God’s creation. My third grade teacher introduced our class to birds, and I became an avid birdwatcher. When my older brother had to make a wildflower collection for biology class, I became intrigued by the beauty and variety of plants. My first camera led me to a lifelong hobby of recording the beauty I saw in God’s amazing world.

Nature brings me closer to God. The vast vistas of a mountain range and the roar of surf pounding on a lonely beach show me God’s power. The intricate design of a wildflower or a butterfly’s wings demonstrates how intimately God is involved in the details of this world. And a robin’s song as the orange sun sets on a summer night feels like God wrapping his arms around me.

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made…” (Romans 1:20 NIV) God’s glory is demonstrated in nature, and I love being surrounded by it.

With my camera I try to catch a glimpse of that glory—both in the majestic and in the more everyday pieces of nature. Although I rarely succeed, the dream is for my photographs to be like little windows into heaven, drawing people toward the God who made and sustains us all.

Nature is a part of much of my writing, as well, from my personal blog to the children’s books I’m writing. God whispers to me through the waves, the clouds, the plants and birds.  I listen and try to put those feelings into words that might bring a little joy and inspiration to others—and maybe lead a few more people out to the woods to get in touch with God.