There are days I long for Eden. That “before this world broke down because of sin” place where I just know everything would be perfect – where there would be no war, no hatred, no self-serving pride. That place where divinity would be breathed in and out like the crisp Autumn air in the Texas Hill Country.

In Eden, that divinity was in every tree, every flower, every blade of grass. God hand-crafted it all. He planted a garden – and then planted His man in it. And He gave beauty and life in that garden. Food and shelter, provision and blessing were all there. Then He kept crafting – because the Lord knew that we would thrive in community. He hand-crafted a woman. He didn’t recycle or reuse things, didn’t try to retrofit. He crafted perfection.

God Himself walked in Eden, living life with the ones He had made for Himself.

He hand-crafted Eden. Our Eden. His Eden.

But Eden’s gone.

Or is it?

His perfect place for us wasn’t an opulent castle or impressive mansion. Nothing was built or bought. It was a garden – a garden that He designed by hand, full of the fruit we need to live and grow. All was given by God – personally. Even His perfect companionship with us and for us was hand-crafted.

That Eden hasn’t gone anywhere.

He still breathes divinity into every tree, every flower, every blade of grass. He still gives beauty and life. He still gives community. And He still walks with us, living life with the ones He has made for Himself.

Today, I pray my eyes will see Eden in a broken-down world. I pray to share Eden with those around me. I pray you’ll see Eden too.