Thankful Thursday - Gazing Upon His Beauty

"One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple." Psalm 27:4

note: this is a picture I took, not my sister, she does a much better job :)

Today I visited my sister's photography studio. As I walked into the room my eyes took hold of it. On the wall hung a canvas with yellows, greens, oranges & reds. The image wasn't clear but there was something about it that touched my soul. When I inquired about it I was told it was the reflection of a mountain top in a lake.

Ah, the mountains, it's where I feel closest to God. I gaze upon the creation of His beauty in the mountains. I am in His Presence in the mountains.

But, I don't have to go to the mountains to be in His Presence. In my heart I can "dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life." Living eucharisteo I am reminded of His Presence. When I seek Him I am in His Presence.

#72 - #82 of living eucharisteo

• celebrating G's birthday
• cheering for G in divisional swim championship
• seeing a boost in G's self-confidence when he won his heat in area swim Allstars
• genuine excitement & gratitude for a homemade cake
• celebrating the birthday of my country where I am FREE to worship My LORD & SAVIOR
• all 4 of us piled into bed together watching fireworks from our Nation's Capital
• a husband who helps me wash & detail my very dirty car
• daddy/son bonding time at camp
• mommy/daughter bonding time
• light pink onsies & little lovies
• sweet bedtime prayers

I am counting God's blessings today with multitudes on mondays @ A Holy Experience.

In His Calm,

Mary

Green Pastures & Quiet Waters

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul." Psalm 23:1-3

Over the past couple of years summer has been a time for me to slow down. I have taken time for myself and time to be one on one with God. It was a time for me to be refreshed and renewed in spirit and in the knowledge of my Lord.  As I headed into surgery a few months ago I thought I would have plenty of time for spiritual renewal along with the physical rest my body needed. I have received the physical rest but not the spiritual renewal I need. 

God has been nudging me over the last couple of weeks to take a break from Marriage Mondays. To be honest I haven't done a good job listening to Him and I have been frustrated. After talking over my frustrations with Jeff earlier this week he suggested I take the month of July off from Marriage Mondays. I immediately balked at the idea but decided I needed to pray about it before making my decision. 

While talking with God I realized a break is what I need. I need to spend time in the "green pastures" of God's Word. When I rest in his word I will experience the "quiet waters" of His Spirit. As I spent some time alone with Him this week I sensed Him already giving me some ideas for Marriage Monday. So, over the next month while I "lie down" in God's "green pastures" I will be working on a new series for Marriage Monday to begin in August. 

While I am taking a break from Marriage Monday I will continue to post Thankful Thursday. I hope you will join me each Thursday as I find the gifts in each moment of the day. See you in August.

In His Calm,

Mary

Thankful Thursday

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope & a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to  you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:11-13

God has a plan for my life. When I struggle to hear him He is still with me. When I struggle with envy because I see others doing what I want to do I need to trust His plans & direction for my life. He wants to teach me. I need to yield to His timetable and allow Him to mold me.

#60 - #71

• date night with my husband
• sleeping late
• cooler weather after a summer storm
• cleaning out closets & drawers
• bagging up cloths to give away
• scheduling a girl's get-away weekend
• surprise visit from a childhood friend
• rambunctious boys
• insightful husband
• baby birds chirping
• refreshing rains
• trusting that God has a specific path for me

I am counting God's blessings today with multitudes on mondays @ A Holy Experience.
In His Calm,

Mary