Where is it? Have you seen it? I think it is over there. No, wait…it is over there, to your left. No, it is behind you…wait, it is in front of you…and over there…it is EVERYWHERE. It is the hand of God…I thought of this the last time we were in one of the National Parks…evidence of God’s beauty is present everywhere in our lives. I was on an 8 mile walk through Cades Cove, I had never been to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in September. I have always gone in the spring…late summer was different, but still beautiful in it’s own way. (For the record…I have spelled Smoky correctly in this case…check out the link. I am a relatively good speller and I always think people must think I misspell that word! Check out the link.) There were fewer animals than in the spring, thing were not as green as a springtime visit, but the majesty of the mountains, the majesty of CREATION was not lost…God’s handiwork was very evident. I was reminded that beauty is in the eye of the beholder…so it wasn’t a green as the spring, it was still beautiful. Then today, I read Ann’s post. You might want to read it too. It forced me to think…where do I see beauty in my daily life? Where do I see beauty in the everyday, mundane, run-of-the-mill STUFF. Am I filling my vases with life or waiting for life to happen, so I can fill my vases. I am working on it…while working I add to my list…
286. a precious phone call.
287. a neighbor that went to church with us.
288. fantastic behavior from 4 little girls in church for what may have been the first time.
289. some house cleaning accomplished.
290. an attitude that needs examined after reading Ann’s post.
291. PRECIOUS moments spent in quiet time with the Lord.
292. special visitors to my blog.
293. prayers spoken to quiet my fears.
294. opportunities to minister to others.
295. opportunities to share my faith.
296. the family that sat behind us in church yesterday.
297. leaves turning colors.
298. several nights of peaceful sleep.
299. changing seasons.
300. a showing on the neighbor’s house and the people really liked it.
I have joined the gratitude community at Ann’s place. Check it out, read some of the other gratitude lists. It will bless your heart.
A couple of weeks ago, I asked you to pray for my neighbor, husband has already moved to take new job, she is here with 4 little girls…that is who went to church with us, someone really likes their house…I am just praying that the Lord gives them the necessary patience and that maybe, someone will make an offer on their house. Thanks for your prayers.
Thanks, too, for stopping by. I hope you have a wonderful day…
Peace and blessings…
Great list, Mary. My mom is in the Smoky Mountains this week. It is a beautiful place.
I feel the same way when I go to national parks. Ann's post was a reality check for me as well, I usually don't search for beauty. Thanks for the list and the encouragement.
a gratitude list, that grows, love it….If we had to recount that every day life would sure be different wouldn't it? Thanks
I need to get started on that!
ps….I am not a good speller, those little red squiggles are my friends! have a great day.
A beautiful list, Mary! I was so moved by Ann's post today, too. I don't want to miss a bit of His beauty!
Enjoyed reading your heart today. Especially the part about filling my vases with life! I've already read Ann today, got to go back and read again though. I guess age brings on the deeper meaning to life. The question I keep asking is ~ Am I just living life?
Great list! Thanks for stopping by this morning!
Dear Sweet friend,
I will join you in prayer for your neighbor, for her husband and her children and for someone to come soon and buy their house.
I join you in gratitude for those special phone calls, and several nights of peaceful sleep.
Great thoughts today to go along with Ann's post. Thanks for the encouragement.
blessings
~a
Great list, Mary! Is the neighbor the went with you the same one that you mentioned before?
I'm off to read Ann's post now. Thanks!
I remember when I went to Glacier National Park I cried as we drove higher and higher into the mountains. I stared out the window and cried and said, "And God says man is his greatest creation." Seeing those mountains, mountains like I've never seen anywhere, I was so humbled to think that God thought I was a greater creation than that! ~ In response to your question: To back your blog content, simply go to your dashboard and click on settings. Towards the top you will see something that says "blog tools." To the right of that you will see, "export blog." Click on that. It doesn't take too long. It just saves the content though, not pictures. ~ Enjoy the rest of your week!
Hi Mary,
I enjoyed you"r post that made me ponder about filling my vases with life or waiting for life to happen". It's a good summary of Ann's post.
Aren't nights of peaceful sleep such a blessing? And the beauty of leaves turning colors. God's hand is everywhere!
Thank you for stopping by. I was out of town and could not reply right away.
May you be blessed each day with a heart that continues to see the Lord's hand in everything.
Janis