June 22, 2011

Taking the Time to Slow down & Listen to God and seeing Beauty in everything!


  I have been so busy I have accomplished nothing.
Running around and not taking the time to really listen to God's still small voice is so easy.
  Not spending time in His Word became a habit and church hasn't been a big priority for me.
Lately every time I go to church a few days later I am back on antibiotics
 and the steroids so attending a crowed worship service just doesn't appeal to me.
  Heartatude I know.

This month has been a month of changes. 
My oldest is living elsewhere for the summer for his job.
My daughter graduated from high school and is leaving for Kansas in Aug for college.
(She will be attending Barclay a Christian College)
My youngest has his own agenda and this week he has
been a camp counselor for a local Christian camp.

All this has left me feeling down.
I feel as if my family is pushing me away and I am feeling left out of everything,
from hearing their plans to being apart of those plans.
Maybe it just the prednisone (a steroid with horrible side effects). 
I just haven't felt the same since I started taking them about a month ago.
 (on again off again not a solid month of steroids).
 Maybe this is how all mothers feel when they are entering the EMPTY NEST stage of life.

 So on Friday June 17th after work I decided to take my camera out and just drive around the county.
I needed to clear my head and find God again.

It is amazing what you will see when you slow down and take the time to look.










Then there is God's Art work.  I love Sunrises and Sunsets.  I have to admit I am not a morning person and thus I miss the skies in morning.  Here is some pictures of the sunset on June 17th.




MT JEFFERSON - OREGON

THREE SISTERS - OREGON



What God has been teaching me....

Slow down and see the beauty all around! 

 No matter what you are feeling God is there!

Be thankful for everything!

There is beauty even during the ugly times you just have to open your eyes heart and mind to what God has to show you.

"But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you."        Psalm 39:7


If you can't find the light because the darkness is taking over go to God and He will provide you with His comforting light!



Don't be afraid to search for God's Beauty during sad times it is OK.

Always thank God for the bad things that happen
and watch your heart change from bitter, angry to peaceful and grateful.

Daily read God's word to be encouraged and find peace, love, hope and joy!

Here is some verses that have popped out at me this week!

"But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him." 
Jeremiah 17:7 New International Version

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.      Isaiah 41:10

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.   Philippians 4:13

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Psalm 34:8  (NIV)



I hope you slow down and listen to God still small voice. You will be amazed!


Prayerfully
Debbi







 




2 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos Debbi. Isn't is amazing how God's creation can speak so eloquently to us in our times of despair and weariness! Thanks for the reminder...

    By the way - I am an empty-nester of one son serving in the military. Now that he and his young family live in another state - those sad days do come - but thank God they are a day's drive from us.

    Beautiful part of the country you are in. I was born in Washington state (Dad was in US Navy) - but now live in northeast Florida.

    God's rich blessings to you and yours,

    Deborah
    (Heb. 10:23)

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  2. I love Psalm 39:7 one of my absolute favorite verses :-)
    God bless you,
    He is faithful.
    Ann

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