Yesterday on the Saturday Six, I linked to a gratitude scavenger hunt designed for kids, but suitable for adults. Perhaps necessary for adults. We sure tend to lose sight of beauty and goodness and gifts from the Lord, don't we?
It's understandable. What is it that our boss, Rob, always says? Understandable but not justifiable? (I think that's the right combo of words.) It makes sense that we struggle to find the beauty, but that's not an excuse to stop looking for it.
I tried to look for it this week. You all know we've had a rough couple of weeks as we've begun to absorb the news of Allen's death. There have been a (large) handful of other things that have taken place in that same time span that have been equally hard to navigate. Some are work related, some are things happening to friends and family members. All of them have been challenging. And all of them have pushed me to look for beauty where I can find it.
* We had a warm(ish) sunny afternoon, with just enough of a break in the "heat" of the day that we could take a walk. Sunshine and fresh air = beauty.
* We took our first official completer step in Abby and made the bed. We stood to admire it and then laid down to see how it felt. It felt kind of silly to hang out on a bed inside a fully covered camper, but it was a reward for months of hard work finally pushing toward completion. (Bonus: the bed is actually super comfy. Helpful, right?) Dreams coming true = beauty.
* I saw so many deer this week - most of them during one single drive - and if you even knew how much I adored deer, you would know it was pretty much the best thing ever. I plastered my face up against the passenger window in our car, waved frantically, and said "HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!! YOU'RE SO PRETTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" (Ryan's just used to this by now.) Deer in all living forms (not colliding with cars) = beauty.
* We reassembled the apartment, post-winter-decor and post-paperwork-everywhere-from-funeral-stuff. Clean surfaces and fresh looks = beauty.
* We ate colorful, flavorful meals this week, and I had a chance to do some real, homemade cooking, even on work days. Creativity in the kitchen = beauty.
And so it goes. Choosing to see the beauty in the simple, precious things that make up every day. There is still so much goodness to be found all around us if we open our eyes to it!
I'm thankful that God is helping me recognize beauty for what it is and enjoy the blessings He offers. I hope you can do the same today!!
5 comments:
I am that way with deer too!!! I usually see them on my drive to work or even on campus!
We have a phrase "Mah rabu ma'asecha Hashem" // "How many are Your deeds Hashem (Gd)" - I always say it when I see something so beautiful and worth savoring.
I like that phrase...Understandable but not justifiable.
I’m staying with a friend this weekend and just slept in a beautiful bed with a wonderful mattress. The window is cracked open and I can see that it’s a sunny day, and I hear birds chirping.
Birds chirping in March=beauty!
We are sitting in our living room which faces east and sun is coming in every window. I love the sunshine and yes it is beautiful. Sun=beauty.
I need to look for the beauty in today. It's been a hard weekend, for no good reason, and I'm struggling. I will challenge myself to find some good today.
Tamar - I love that so much - and I love it that you get to see deer on campus!!
Tracy - Isn't a wonderful mattress THE BEST????
Gerri - That sounds wonderful. I have loved seeing the sun so much lately.
Natasha - hugs to you! I hope this week gets better! :)
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