the past few mornings have been REALLY hard to get out of bed. lack of sleep combined with a cold that won't die makes for some long nights and mornings that are coming too soon! anyway, i have hit snooze a few too many times but made it out the door in time to walk for sunrise.
this morning i needed an extra boost, so i headed out the door with a cup o joe in my hand :) not the healthiest choice for a pre-workout beverage, but man...it was good! i arrived a smidge early, which was fine by me...gave me a few minutes to CHUG, ahem, i mean sip gracefully my java and watch the water before my friend arrived.
as i sat staring at the waveless sea, surrounding islands (and condos of course) i noticed some stingrays flip flapping on the surface and also saw two dolphin swimming/playing. it was breathtaking. a gift, wrapped in beauty more pure than anything i could ever create.
my friend pulled up and joined me in awe and wonder of the incredible life happening around us....we saw more stingray feeding (they usually stay at the bottom of the seafloor, but feed on the surface) and another dolphin splashing. my heart was full and thankful...and we had only just begun.
our conversation was weighty in depth and breadth today...not uncommon for a couple o idealistic dreamers :) deep in thought and talk we found ourselves looking inward in contemplation and prayer. our eyes were fixed on the path ahead, yet God kept beckoning us to look over at what was happening next to us. fish were jumping, the sun was a brilliant shade of pink casting rays of purple and orange all over the sky and water beneath, more rays were spinning on the surface and even more dolphin jumping through the water as if it were a trampoline.
you'll definitely find this hard to believe, but it shut me up. :) the things i want to work out, the places in myself and my life that i want to fix and see things happen...He was whispering today to take my eyes off of what is 'seen' and look to what is 'unseen.' had we been intent enough in our conversation, we would and likely could have completely missed the sweet gifts of life and encouragement today. had we kept our eyes on the road in front and not slowed down enough to look over at the water right next to us...well, today would've ended a lot differently.
i think as a woman it's just my nature to be tangible. not only do i want to fix it, i want it done my way and right now please. and faith and trust are so much more than looking to Him until we get what we want. it's simply about looking to Him. keeping our eyes fixed on what He sees, what He loves, what He values...because there is nothing better.
you don't have to live at the beach (although i highly recommend it!) to see the gifts of life and hope that He puts in our paths each day. God passionately pursues His carefully crafted children. you don't have to measure up to some crazy standard or open your Bible at least once a week to qualify. if you're breathing...you're it! He loves you. He wants you. not to control you, but to set you free. you don't have to have it together (i'm #1 case in point for that one). He provides the strength when we don't feel strong. He gives the love when we are tapped dry. He is Life.
2Cor4:18
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Isaiah40:28-31
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
2Chron32:7-9
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. 8 With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles." And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.
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