Softly stepping
sunlight blazing
umbrella trees
perfectly shading
rustling leaves
deer are feeding
toddlers shuffling
songbirds tweeting
couples hand-holding
walking slow
enjoying the view
down below
sounds of nature
creation in tune
a blessed summer
walk in June
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord- Psalm 150:6
Sun- shining bright like a diamond
Where’s Waldo?! Can you spot the deer?
A little songbird feasts on some twigs
This gorgeous butterfly led me down the trail
shuffling feet-
a serenade so sweet
as they rustle
the fallen leaves
while golden glittered
sunlight flitters
and dances between
the trees
I love,
love,
love
the sound of crunching leaves when I take a walk during autumn. Taking in fall’s fantastic foliage is one of my greatest joys- but unfortunately it seems that the leaves have changed and fallen overnight. Literally.
Maybe it’s because of all the rain we have had lately.
Maybe it’s because we didn’t have enough cooler temps before fall came.
Maybe I’m just making up excuses because, well-
I honestly have no idea, lol.
But what I DO know is that all the lovely attributes of fall are fading pretty quickly.
So you-
yes!
YOU
better get outside
and enjoy every second!
For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease.
Job 14:7
Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth.
1 Chronicles 16:33
O Light of light, shine in!
Cast out this night of sin,
Create true day within:
O Light of light, shine in!
O Light, all light excelling,
Make my heart Thy dwelling;
O Joy, all grief dispelling,
To my poor heart come in!
O Joy of joys, come in!
End Thou this grief of sin,
Create calm peace within:
O Joy of joys, come in!
O Life of life, pour in!
Expel this death of sin,
Awake true life within:
O Life of life, pour in!
O Love of love, flow in!
This hateful root of sin
Deal with, renew, within:
O Love of love, flow in!
O Heaven of heavens, descend!
This cloudy curtain rend,
And all earth’s turmoil end:
O Heaven of heavens, descend!
My God and Lord, O come!
Of joys the Joy and Sum,
Make in this heart Thy home:
My God and Lord, O come!
*Lyrics by Horatius Bonar(1808-1889)
The weather this week has been amazing! Spring is FINALLY sprung and so have the vibrant colors of the season. The other day I walked my favorite trail with a couple of friends.
The sun was so bright, I borrowed a friend’s hat to protect my eyes. Even with the hat, I found myself looking down at the ground to keep from squinting. I began to get a headache and felt sick to my stomach as I watched the wooden slats beneath my feet moving back and forth.
I can’t remember ever experiencing “motion sickness” from walking! But the odd thing was that the moment I mentioned it, my friend said she, too, felt that same way.
“We must stop looking down and keep looking forward, ” spoke my wise friend!
A simple statement, but a profound reminder to keep my eyes fixed on the path ahead, and not the ground.
And maybe a pair of sunglasses wouldn’t hurt next time 🙂
Let your eyes look straight ahead;
fix your gaze directly before you.
Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
and be steadfast in all your ways. Proverbs 4:25-26
wanderlust, we grab the keys
our thousandth date-just you and me
there’s nowhere else I’d rather be
than journeying
with you
silence says a thousand words
our love is loud, it’s sound is heard
there’s nowhere else I’d rather be
than sitting here with you
we banter on with simple chatter
we talk of life and all that matters
there’s nowhere else we’d rather be
than sitting here with You
Our 21st date-a-versary was last week… it’s hard to believe that we have been together that long. Merely kids ourselves, I remember those early days and the fun we had driving around and talking like it was yesterday.
We tried to go out and celebrate our special day last week, but life got in the way and it didn’t happen. Between girls with homework to be done, church, a very sick dog (who is 100% better now!), and the normal day-to-day things that need to get done, a date never happened.
On a whim, my hubby asked me if we wanted to go watch the sunset last night. It didn’t take much convincing from me- that’s my favorite thing to do! No fancy clothes, no money needed, no detailed plans… just us and a car and a show-stopping sunset by our Wonderful Maker.
So we drove around and took in the perfect evening- the rolling hills, the silver lined clouds, and the stellar sunset. We found a place to stop and take in the view. All those years we’ve been together flashed before me. It’s not about the things we’ve done, the plans we’ve made, or the places we’ve gone- but about being together.
21 years of “dating”… and we’re still planning and dreaming together!
And to all these things, you must add love. Love holds everything and everybody together and makes all these good things perfect. Colossians 3:14
A little bird on a wire singing praises…
there once was a bird on a wire
he looked as though he’d never tire
he sang his sweet song
praised the Lord all day long
the sounds of creation inspire!
If you really knew me, you’d know that I get bored of things very easily. Last week was the two year anniversary of starting this blog- which is quite an accomplishment for myself. Routine is not something I am good at, and routines often make me feel like a bird in a cage.
But I have found freedom in the routine of coming here to write- because God is good, He is faithful, and He is always teaching me something…
My youngest daughter came to me last evening to ask me a question. I noticed that her eyes were welled up with tears.
“Why are you crying, babe?” I asked her.
“I cry when I sing, momma.”
“What were you singing?” I asked her.
“A song I made up.” She smiled and gave me the most earnest look.
“Will you sing it for me?” She shook her head no. “Please? Pretty please?” Again, she shook her head no.
I let it go- even though I wanted to hear her song more than anything at that moment. She sat at my computer and began playing a game. I sat at the piano behind her and began playing worship songs.
I sang quietly as I played. “Beautiful One, I love…Beautiful One, I adore…” and ever so softly, I heard her little voice sing in unison with mine. She couldn’t resist joining me, and hearing her sing made me cry.
As I listened to her, I was reminded that I am just like my daughter. Who am I kidding?! I’m still afraid to share my thoughts and songs with others, but where there is fear- there is freedom in Christ. So often I write… and because I think it isn’t “good enough”- I don’t share it. Just as I longed to hear my daughter’s song- there is someone longing to hear yours…and mine.
He inspires me to keep on creating, writing, and to keep on singing… for His glory! He wants us to share with others what He has done in our lives- and that’s always something worth writing about!
There is someone out there-even if it’s one person- who needs to hear your story and your song. He wants to use you, speak through you, and He wants to shine through your broken pieces- so that others may see Him!
In my distress I prayed to the Lord,
and the Lord answered me and set me free.
The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear.
What can mere people do to me? Psalm 118:5-6
silver-lined clouds on a beautiful day
a blessing is found
when our praises abound
As we worship Him- He is refining
He shines on us grace
When we seek His face
He alone is our silver lining
He knows every care
when our words aren’t there
there’s never a reason for hiding
His Son intercedes
He knows all our needs
He alone is our silver lining
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
The Monticello Trail
Captivated by
changes of color, new life,
and a new season
For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. Song of Solomon 2:11-12
tall trees wave goodbye
to cold winter’s dormancy
and welcome the warmth
like lace, the green leaves
dance against a perfect sky
on a perfect day
Recently, I walked the Monticello Trail and it was stunning. I was speed-walking, while listening to my headphones and holding my iphone out in front of me to take pictures. I’m sure I looked just a little bit nutty.
I am thankful for the changing seasons, for His beautiful creation, and for the hope He gives us-
that we, too, can be renewed
and have a new life in Him!
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens- Ecclesiastes 3
Two wren “love birds” on my deck
I can tell I am getting older- because I’m starting to enjoy doing weird things. Ok, not completely weird– just different.
Like bird watching.
A wren and a cardinal at my new bird hang-out
My girls came home the other day from a friend’s house with an entire box full of “bird food”- pine cones, smeared in peanut butter and then rolled in bird seed. Yes, it was just as messy as it sounds.
Right before our first snowfall, I placed a few pinecones in each of the empty flower pots that sat on our deck. We woke up one morning to a winter wonderland, and as I cooked breakfast, I heard the sweetest bird singing his little heart out.
Who knew? If you feed them- they will come.
Perched on the railing of our deck, he bobbed his head up and down as he sang out into the back yard.
I watched as his friends began to join him on the deck.
It was the coolest thing. I just knew he was signaling his friends that he found food. I cleaned up the dishes as I watched through the kitchen window. Finches, bluebirds, wrens, and even a cardinal came to the feast.
I have begun to look forward to seeing these little guys every morning. My husband jokingly asked me the other day if I have started naming them…. well, not yet, but now I’m thinking about it!
Bluebirds are a colorful favorite of mine
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:26
This little one sings his heart out every morning!!
It makes me wonder what else I have been missing out on all these years. All it took was a little effort on my part, and the return on JOY I have received has been twofold! And to think- these birds have been here all along….all it took was a little bit of seed-throwing and now they are a lovely part of my day.
Remember this–a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 2 Corinthians 9:6
intrigued by morning’s glow
of a winter sunrise
I leash up my best friend
to take him out and feast our eyes
on the beautiful light of dawn
as we watch Him paint away-
once again, I am reminded
His mercy is new today
I have not been sleeping well lately. I admit that I have complained a little about this because it leaves me feeling tired. All the time.
I love how God renews, refreshes, and reveals little things to me- when I am paying attention. Just yesterday, in our women’s small group at church, we watched a short video of a sermon about being hungry. The pastor said his very favorite part of the day was at 4 am when he woke up and got to spend time alone with God- all by himself. He said he couldn’t wait for this time every day!
Yep, I had to gulp a little when I heard him say that. Because lately, I have been so frustrated that I haven’t been able to get a full night’s sleep. When I see the clock at 2, 3, and 4am…I have been less than thrilled.
He really gave me grace this morning, because I didn’t see the clock until 5am! And when I woke up, I kept hearing that pastor say that was his favorite time.
Yes- it could be mine, too… if I commit it to Him…
And so this morning- I did.
Imagine my delight when I walked into the living room, and saw the pink glow of the sunrise coming through the window. I leashed up my dog and took him out with me. It was gorgeous. And I love that the most beautiful part was hidden behind the trees. You have to intentionally look for it.
Just like we have to intentionally look for Him!
And the EARLIER in the day- the BETTER!
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. Psalm 143:8
High definition vibrancy
a technicolor tapestry
autumn leaves of fantasy
one last hurrah, then dormancy
beauty’s only temporary
in the near future, we will see
nature’s true transparency
the truth beneath flamboyancy
The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7
I Sing Because I'm Free 