365 Project 2011

365 Project Day 219: Sunday Gifts

August 8, 2011

Promise Remembered

Canon 5D Mark ll, 16-35 2.8L, 4.5 aperture, focal length 16mm, 1/125 shutter, 200 ISO

I was down by the barn when I saw the storm rolling in. The horses’ manes were blowing softly in the breezes that come before a summer storm. I could see a bit of orange in the distance. I sensed a beautiful sunset was in the making. I hurried to find Chris as the first drops of rain began to fall. We jumped in the car and headed to the highest point we knew of in the area, the rain now blurring the windshield. ” The best sunsets come after a storm”, I told him. ” Sounds like a blog to me”,  he answered, smiling. Yes, it did. When we got to the top of the hill, the rain was already receding and the pavement steamed with relief. One side of the sky was blue with wispy clouds, the other still dark with streaks of lightning, threatening. It was beautiful, with so many opposing elements happening at once. The thunder, the birds singing, the lightning, the blue sky.

Wispy White on Blue

Then we turned around and saw it. A rainbow that stretched nearly across the sky. I have never photographed a rainbow before and wasn’t sure I could. I fumbled through my lenses, afraid it would disappear before I got the right one out. Other cars pulled off and neighbors we did not know tumbled out to gaze at the spectacle. It really was glorious.

Stretching Across the Sky

We were all at once a community, caught up in the beauty. Our common ground was the glory of God, and we were instant friends. I love how beauty does that. God does that.

But the gifts kept coming.

As the rainbow faded, the sun began to make her bed in the horizon, casting her warm glow across the earth. The grass, the trees, the face of my husband, all now gleamed with light. I caught Chris’s hand, and breathed in the moment, warm and heavy with the scent of summer rain. Small raindrops began to fall again as we watched the sun setting in the distance. We were alone again. He pulled me close. I let my heart stretch and breathe as I received the gifts. They were falling like the rain that was lighting on our skin, soft and cool, bringing us back to the present with every drop. We talked about how we walked in the rain when our love was new, and nothing else seemed to matter.  He told me back then that  rain looked good on me. Still a great line. He can say it to me for the rest of our lives together if he wants, even if it isn’t raining.

How I loved these Sunday gifts. Captured a few of them to share.

James 1:17 ~ “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

Have a wonderful Monday.

Shining in the Darkness

Gilded in Light

Sleepy Sun

Leaving the Light On

 

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16 Comments

  • Reply Grace Parker August 8, 2011 at 8:03 am

    This is absolutely one of your BEST! I loved every part of it. The rainbow was amazing, and your and Chris’ story equally so. Grace

    • Reply maryanne August 8, 2011 at 11:15 am

      Thank you, Grace! I am so glad you liked it! God did all the work.:)

      Mary Anne

  • Reply Dinah August 8, 2011 at 9:36 am

    I agree with Grace! Absolutely one of your BEST yet! Amazing! Thank you MaryAnne for sharing the beauty Gods give us through others eyes, lips, ears and heart. I love you! Dinah

    • Reply maryanne August 8, 2011 at 11:15 am

      Thank you, Dinah! You are an amazing artist as well! I hope to see some of your work again (and you) soon!
      Love you,
      Mary Anne

  • Reply Lisa August 8, 2011 at 11:03 am

    Your work is simply beautiful….with the camera and with your words. Thanks for sharing!

    • Reply maryanne August 8, 2011 at 11:14 am

      Thank you, Lisa! I appreciate your stopping by!

  • Reply kmo August 8, 2011 at 11:08 am

    Wow. phenomenal. absolutely phenomenal. Great job, mommy.

    • Reply maryanne August 8, 2011 at 11:13 am

      Thank you, my sweet Katie. Guess I didn’t miss the glory yesterday after all.:)
      Love you! ~ Mama

  • Reply Mama August 8, 2011 at 11:17 am

    Breathtaking! Amazing! Fantastic! There aren’t enough words to describe this blog.

  • Reply Nicole August 8, 2011 at 12:12 pm

    double rainbow!!!!! hahaha
    this is beautiful mary anne!!!!

  • Reply Kate Hillstead August 8, 2011 at 12:26 pm

    WOW!!! I would buy prints of these in a heartbeat! They’re truly breathtaking.

  • Reply Kay Starwalt August 8, 2011 at 1:27 pm

    Hi Maryanne, I am Dinah’s siter in law. Johns sister. So beautiful is Gods handiwork, and rainbows mean so much more to me knowing that it is His covenant with us. Thanks for sharing.

  • Reply mutating missionary August 8, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    thank you

  • Reply joshua August 8, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    stunning…

    thanks for sharing. they are beautiful.

  • Reply Mom Morgan August 10, 2011 at 11:38 am

    These pictures are some of your best. I cried again as I read the words you wrote. Thank you so much for using your gifts to bless others. Absolutely beautiful.

  • Reply Annie August 11, 2011 at 7:43 am

    These. Are. Amazing. Every single one. You are extraordinary, momma.

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