Clouds Moving In

The sky was incredible this morning with the clouds moving in.  The second picture was taken just a minute after the first, and the last picture was taken about ten minutes after the second.  What a difference from the first picture to the last even though it was just minutes between them.  Our lives change just as quickly, but what a comfort to know God is constant.  I found Him today in the ever-changing beauty of our world.

Spirit Surge

We have another camellia blooming at the corner of our deck (different than the one I wrote about last week).  It's a paler pink, and I think this is the first time it's bloomed since we moved here five years ago.  So I went over to look at it after my walk this morning, and as I turned away towards the pond in the back of our house, I got a "spirit surge".  I don't know how else to describe it.  From time to time, I get this sudden feeling of filling up with light, peace, contentment.  It's like I'm literally breathing in God and seeing the world with new eyes.  It only lasts a few moments, but it's an amazing feeling that leaves me a little breathless.  It's like an electrical surge when the lights all shine brighter except it feels like God is amping up the voltage in my spirit...in my soul.  I stood there a few moments looking at the pond, enjoying the touch of a breeze on my face, and just relishing the feeling.  I can't do it justice with my words - "spirit surge" is the best I can come up with - but I had to try because that is where I found God today.

Stolen Time

I read this quote by Harry Emerson Fosdick today in The Trumpeter (our church newsletter) - "Finding God is really letting God find us; for our search for Him is simply to surrender to His search for us."  That sums up this blog so perfectly.  Some days my blog ideas just jump out at me.  But most days when it's time to write I sit and pray; asking God to show me what I should write about that day.  It really is a surrender to Him. So each day when I write "that is where I found God today", what's really happening is I've opened myself to Him; and that's what He's highlighted in my day.

Today, He highlighted a few stolen moments this morning.  Jeff had to leave for Maryland today, and Monday is always a busy day anyway.  We're usually running around right up until it's time for him to go.  But today, we stopped and sat together for about ten minutes.  It wasn't a long time, but it was enough to re-connect spiritually before he left.  It was a much needed and welcome little oasis of stolen time before the next few days apart.  And that is where I found God today (or He found me!).

Praying with Helen

I had Healing Team duties with Helen today.  I'm so fond of Helen.  She and her husband both exude a warmth and kindness that I've felt since I first met them.  We prayed together before the service and then during the service for anyone who needed it.  I've prayed with Helen before, but today was different.  Ask anyone on the Healing Team, and they'll tell you that you don't have to be particularly eloquent - just be heartfelt.  Helen is both. However, today it wasn't just that.  Today she was so quick to start praying and so eager and open to the Spirit that she was like a force.  I definitely found God - and felt Him there with us - praying with Helen today.

A Better Place

 Jeff and I decided to take a drive down to the National Seashore this morning.  It's so beautiful there, and it's been a while since we've made the trip.  When we started the drive, I was not in the best of moods.  No real reason for it - just one of those things. But as we got to talking, we started reminiscing about this particularly funny incident that happened last summer.  We relayed the story back and forth, taking turns telling it because we both know it so well.  I started laughing (I always do - the story never gets old!), and instantly felt my spirits lift.  In my mind, I saw a shadow rise up and blow away.  And that's where I found God today.  In the easy banter and laughter that took me to a better place.

A Storm Brewing

There's a storm brewing.  The wind is whipping, the trees are bending and swaying, the wind chimes are chiming for all they're worth.  The sky is grey, leaves are blowing around, and the pond is running fast.  It's exciting to see God stirring things up (especially if there's no real potential for damage!).  I love a sunny day as much as the next person, but a stormy day just begs you to light some candles, maybe sip some tea... It forces you indoors to slow down while the world outside is winding up.  Today I find God in the coming storm.

Rejoice!

I love this tree!  I pass it every day on my walk.  To me, it looks like someone lifting their arms to the heavens.  It makes me want to rejoice right along with it.  And the sun lit it up so beautifully on this glorious spring-like morning that I had to take a picture of it.  That is where I found God today.