Beauty

Yesterday morning as I was rushing into work I passed this plant along the sidewalk.  It was early in the day and all the rains we've been having were still displayed as droplets on the leaves of this day lily.  It caught my eye and I had to stop to admire it.  So many itzy bitzy beads of water delicately balanced on each leaf.  It was gorgeous.  My cell phone camera doesn't do justice to the beauty I enjoyed.

Walking away I turned around to look at the plant again and from a distance, with the sun rising, the plant almost looked be-jeweled as the water sparkled.  

In a Great Book of Wisdom it is written: 

Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so.  The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.  And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day. 

I am very thankful this plant caught my attention.  It caused me to stop and see the beauty around me and that was like a precious gift. Life has become The Great Rush--getting to the next meeting or running another errand--so focused and intent that we miss the beauty placed specifically for us to enjoy. Vegetation spoken by the very breath of God and He called it good.  

Friends, slow down half a step today and look around you.  Take the challenge I'm offering to really see the beauty in our land.  Not only will you be refreshed but you just might be So Amazed.

My Dad's Sleeping View

Last weekend I went to visit my parents in their Far-Up-North home.  The top picture is when I was standing looking out the window in the livingroom.  The second photo is the view from the recliner my dad sits in.  The morning I took these photos the lake was calm and the wind was still.  The one word that came to my mind was

Peace

Psalm 4:8 reads "In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety."

My dad has been doing a lot of sleeping in his recliner the past week and a half.  On his recent cancer recheck here it was found that the cancer has spread to several areas in his body.  Areas that bring him pain and great discomfort.  The pain medication makes him sleepy so he takes several naps throughout the day.

God is very present in my parent's home and His Peace is very evident from the view my dad can enjoy from his chair.  As I was searching for a Bible verse that describes peace, I had to chuckle that the above Psalm mentioned lying down to sleep.  My dad is amazed at how much sleep he now gets in his recliner!

How thankful I am for the peaceful view my dad has as he awakens from a nap.  

It is So Amazing that peace can fill our heart, mind, and soul despite the unwelcome news the doctors shared.  It is a miraculous wonder that we have peace as we lie down to sleep and are comforted dwelling in the Almighty's safety.