Tag Archives: look

Ordinary ~ Write 28 Days

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“The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)

Ordinary

“This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24 (ESV)

Putting on my glasses helps me see better, but not as well as by putting on years. Age has offered me a new way to look at my days and it’s now clear to me that not one of them is ordinary!

Oh sure, I often do the same ole things, in the same ole ways, in the same ole places, but stop for a moment with me and think about it. There’s nothing ordinary about waking up to a new day, even if it is to the same things. Life teaches us through the years that instead, it’s an extravagant gift many don’t receive. Realizing this, now has me seeking the “extraordinary” in the midst of my “normal”.

Maybe like me, you’ve been through something that has opened your eyes to the truth that God places remarkable little things for us to find, even when the way is very dark. He puts them for us to notice in our “same ole” too, as reminders of His extravagant love. A smile, a letter, the unexpected beauty in nature (I love those), a parking spot, or even getting in the short check-out line at the store. They’re always there and the list is endless.

Recently, I heard a line in a song that said, “If you want to see the sunshine, you just have to open the blinds.” Here’s the thing, we can let ourselves walk around blinded by the idea that our lives are ordinary, or, we can open our eyes and look for the extraordinary in them. Will you join me in making it a goal to try and wake each morning as the Psalmist, rejoicing because God has given us another day? I’m learning it helps us to see more clearly God’s handiwork in all the little things He has just for us. And when we spot them? There’s only one thing to do: “Let us rejoice and be glad in it!”

Five Minute Friday~Take

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“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name.” Isaiah 40:26a (NIV)

Take Time to Look Up

Perusing through the photos on my phone, I have realized that lately I’ve been looking up. A lot! Many of my recent pictures are of the sky in one form or another: bright blue, brilliant orange, soft pink, framing the moon, a backdrop for birds, and other scenes above that have captured my attention. Swiping through the images makes me wonder why I’ve been so drawn to the sky. Thinking about it I’ve realized that when I’ve taken the time to lift my eyes upward, everything else around me seems to simply fade away and for those few moments, I find peace as I’m immersed in the beauty above me.

It has occurred to me, that this attraction to the sky is really a reminder that taking time to look up should not just be a photo opportunity, but rather the way I live my daily life. I don’t know about you, but when challenged, facing a problem, or in the need of wisdom, my first reaction is usually to seek worldly solutions on my own. I mean, Google does seem to have an answer for almost everything!  I also look to those around me for advice, read a book, post, or blog that seems to address the issue, and sometimes even try to reason it out in my own little mind. In reality, there’s nothing really wrong with any of these approaches, unless that is… we allow them to block our view heavenward! Living with our sights set down here on only what the world has to offer is like trying to take a picture of the sky from beneath an umbrella. Our vision is greatly limited! **

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.  Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.” Colossians 3:1-2 (NLT)

Setting our “sights on the realities of heaven” changes our perspective. When we take the time to look up: to praise, give thanks, repent, worship, seek, and pray; the things of the world begin to grow dim. We find peace as we are captivated by the beauty of grace.  And. We. Are. Changed!  And when those storm clouds fill our sky? Well, God may send us to just the right friend, guide us to a perfect reading, or bring clarity to our own thoughts.  Who knows? Maybe He’ll even use Google to help clear things up. The important thing is that now we’re looking at the world through God’s lens instead of our own and it helps us put our focus on what’s important.

So, the next time you step outside, take time to look up! Notice how the green leaves contrast against the brilliant blue. Wonder at the countless stars that light up the night. Pause as the sinking sun paints with pinks and purples. And then, look up further……..

“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe.  This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.  So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.  There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”
Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)

**five minutes

Joining http://www.fiveminutefriday.com writing community to write to the prompt “Take” today. It’s always fun to see all the different directions each writer takes with the same word! Click on over and see for yourself.