Astounding Beauty

The high stone walls that encompass the Scottish garden are cool this early morning. Tranquility abides and a soft mist lingers near the bell tower. Dewdrops are gently scattered on the buds and the fragrance of blossoming roses is ever sweet. Every variety imaginable has been planted. Faint yellows,vibrant oranges, glistening pinks, pure whites, and even some exotic blues. The beauty of the moment is astounding. Amidst the bushes is a bench picturesquely nestled off the path. You pause to rest and ponder as you inhale the heavenly air. The pace of life is all too rapid and how few places where solitude is felt are left. But on the grounds of this remote castle lies a whole new meaning of life. Here you are able to take a step back and enjoy that which our Creator has given.

Poppies

What a wonderful afternoon for a spring picnic. The flowers are freshly blooming and buds blossoming. You have a favorite spot in mind. Benton's Field.

Joy Azure

Summer is almost gone. The days of school are fast approaching. When life and work must resume. But while you can still escape, you hop into your old Chevy and blaze down the backroads, windows down and dust a billowing. Up ahead is a field, stretching from east to west. You pull over and stop the engine. A meadowlark chirps sweetly on his flight overhead. The field seems inviting, it's tall stocks offering some shady relief from the August heat. Giant, bright sunflowers tower above and all around as far as the eye can see. The field is a nice retreat from the heat of the August sun. The flowery, sunshine-yellow petals are so cheery and fill one's heart with joy. Up above through the flowers you can catch a glimpse of the vibrant azure sky. A smile sneaks across your face from ear to ear.

Rainy Thoughts

Raindrops. Joy from heaven. It's a typical afternoon in Illinois. Darkened storm clouds loom above Lake Michigan and seem to be rolling closer west. Driving up Sheridan Rd., I enter the hometown of my father. The scenery is much different than I am accustomed to in the desert of New Mexico. Trees are everywhere, tall green trees and lush grass. Flowers freely spring up, and in mid June many are blossoming. The homes are so picturesque and unique. Raindrops begin to patter their song as they dance across the windshield. Slowly, I approach the house where so many of my father's memories took place several years ago; the death of my grandmother bringing me back. The neighborhood has grown in 30 years, but the old red brick house still stands. Two strong oak trees guard the yard. My thoughts dart from story to story and then compare to the actual location. How times have changed. Life is so different and the past is quickly slipping away, right through our fingers. Days cannot be re-lived. The old driveway is now faint and covered in grass, the new covered in blacktop. The old field of weeds and wild flowers now a nicely manicured lawn belonging to a neighbor.

Golden Beams

The golden beams of morning stream through your window. You slowly open your eyes and smile at the thought of a fresh and brand new day. The sunshine is so sweet, casting a cheery glow on the apricot colored room. You sit up and stretch your muscles, preparing them for the promising day ahead. And joyfully, you bounce out of your white poster bed, making your way to the window, whose curtains are blowing gently in the lilac-sceneted, crisp breeze. Curiously, you pull back the drapes to unveil a glorious world. The sunbeams hit your rosy face and you grin at all the spring flowers that are budding. A bubbly robin rests on the limb of a blossoming cherry tree, singing carefree his melodious tunes. "His compassions fail not, they are new every morning, great is Thy faithfulness." God never ceases to give us a clean slate every single day. With this promise in mind you turn, motivated to face the day and all that lies ahead. :)

Inspired to Etch

On this cool evening in late July a stroll down the coast is in store. The sun is lowering itself toward the horizon, where the rolling ocean meets the sky. It's been a lovely summer day, the weather perfect for an afternoon down at the water in Oregon. The mossy green cliffs above, with their cascading shimmering hills in the golden sun; the rocky shoreline is jagged, rugged, and utterly breath-taking. It reminds you of something you'd see illustrating a magazine article. Few shells are whole, but you search diligently. Perseverance pays off as you reach down to retrieve a smooth sand dollar. The tide is out and waves crash against the exposed rocks covered in mussels, sea anemones and cucumbers. The sand is so moist and invisible water rests atop, creating a glassy, mirrored surface. The effect is beautiful in all its own, let alone what it reflects. A few paces further you discover a purple starfish that has washed up. Around the bend stands a massive lighthouse, anchored tightly to the top of the cliff. The sun is near to sinking below the skyline. Stumbling across a piece of driftwood, you sit to rest, watching as dusk sets in. A branch lies close by and you reach for it, inspired to etch in the grains. A passage from the Psalms coms to mind and these words pour through your fingertips, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path.” Just like lighthouses are there to guide and protect ships all through the night, so is our Saviour there for us whenever we need Him. We shall seek Him and find Him when we search with all our heart. He will never leave us nor forsake us; He is always there, willing to lead us through joys and sorrows alike. This message may be wiped away when the tide washes in, but may it forever be hidden close to our hearts. A salty breeze whistles through the tall grass on the hillside, reminding you to keep moving. Energized, you spring to your feet, aching for adventure. The azure sky is spotted with fluffy white clouds, but soon take on wispy shapes and begin to shift to pale hues of pink, purple, yellow, orange, and all that is in between. The colors are magnificent, as if a live canvas were before you, painted by a Master Artist. The now silhouette of the lighthouse is a spectacular sight, its beacon faintly shining. The moment is flawless, more divine that a postcard image. For, you are here, now, living and breathing this very instant. You pause and lookout to sea, taking everything in. Your feet sink in the soft sand and ooze between your toes. A pod of whales spout just off the beach, surfacing every-so-often. The beam of light is now apparently stronger as it flashes in circles. A fog horn breaks the silence of the waves. Reluctantly, you start heading back, a flashlight lighting the way. Ghost crabs scurry rapidly to escape the glare. What a soothing evening, a wonderful experience. A day that speaks volumes to the majesty of our Creator. For who else would make such a grand place? The love of our Father is incomprehensible and this is only miniscule to what awaits us one great day in heaven.

Dazzling Display of Red, White, and Blue

The Statue of Liberty in all her glory. What a marvelous way to spend the fourth of July in celebration of our nation's declaration of independence on that day in 1776. THe banner of stars and stripes shines brilliantly in the moonbeams. Between the spires of her crown and the luminous torch clenched in her fist bursts a dazzling display of red, white, and blue, raining upon the darkened night sky. Colors of fireworks are reflected in the harbor shores beneath and an echoing boom shatters through the air. A live band plays the national anthem on a ferry off the island. The Statue of Liberty. A monument to our freedom. A symbol to our independence. The lady has stood in the harbor of New York City, greeting all those who immigrated to our beautiful country. What a welcoming first sight to those who finally saw land and to know their daring journey abroad was coming to a close. Cooper aged in green, she still stands strong as a reminder of our nation's history. Millions flock here annually to see this emblem for their own eyes. A memory they are sure to never forget. But on this Independence Day it is a extra special event, a specific date to contemplate all that our country has gone through and all the advancements it has made. May freedom forever ring!