Ah, vacation. A time to escape the reality of work, housekeeping, laundry, bill paying, errands, grocery shopping and beyond. A time to either slow down or speed up, depending on what your vacation entails. Our vacation to a remote, no cell reception, cottage deep in the woods on the north side of Raystown Lake was a nice combination of both paces.
While exploring the single track on the Allegrippis trail system on our mountain bikes, I stopped at a little meadow of wildflowers. The sun was warm and bright, a soft breeze gently rocked the various flowers as if in tune to a melody I could not hear. I whipped out my iPhone, got low to the ground and began getting a closer look at these seemingly worshipful colorful beauties. The friend I was with said to me, “always a photographer, huh?” I replied that there is always something to see, not just look at, but see.
Even weeds are a thing of beauty if seen through the mindset of appreciating God’s wonderful creation.These innocent, yet wild, Queen Anne’s Lace and Black-eyed Susan’s looked so pretty together, dancing in sync with one another. How could I NOT stop to capture the moment with my camera??
I’m constantly reminded that when I slow down my rushed itinerary, even my vacation itinerary, God shows me Himself in the little things. In places where I don’t expect to see Him, really. In the simplicity of a narrow trail meandering through the woods, in time enjoyed with good friends, and even in impossible weeds.
Life is so full of God and His love for us. We must take time to slow and see it. Otherwise, the sorrow and darkness that our fallen world offers can kill our hope of something better beyond the present. There is beauty in the broken.
Grace & Peace,
deAnn
As you can see, I am often times inspired by God’s word and am compelled to fill in some of the blanks in the Biblical stories. I call them Biblical stories, stories that are in the Bible, but do not intend to portray them as made up fiction. It is never my wish to reinterpret God’s word, but rather to make it more real and relatable to us as contemporary Christians. I am motivated to share the Gospel message and wish to move the hearts of all Christians to boldly confess the name of Jesus. God will always accomplish what He desires – to bring people to faith through the good news of Jesus Christ. Because of this we rejoice. ~ John Bergmeier, 2011May you be inspired by the visual delights of this exhibit ~
Hey ladies – if you like to write and be encouraged along the writer’s journey, you should check out (in)courage – click their logo above. What a cool web community for women writers.
I hope summer is allowing you time to write, to express that which is on your heart. I know, it’s hard to find time with all the demands of our lives, but when I make a “date” with my writers voice I’m always left feeling blessed.
May you (and me) make a “date” and not stand ourselves up. God will meet you on the page.
grace & peace ~ deAnn
