This is the view from our balcony this week in Colorado. We are on a family vacation this week. One that I have looked forward to for some time. I have needed the rest so badly. When we first got to our location, my heart fell silent. I couldn’t believe both the extravagance and the generosity of the people who are allowing us to stay in their home. It is, hands down, the most beautiful place I have ever stayed in my whole life.
All I could feel was gratitude. I was so thankful to my Father in Heaven who seems to take delight in surprising me with His never ending goodness. Thankful for our friends who so lavishly gifted us with this week in such a beautiful home. No detail has been left unattended to.
Here is an excerpt from my journal that I wrote after awaking the morning after our arrival.
“That feeling you get as a tear begins to form in your heart and move it’s way from the intangible to the visible – is beautiful and I do not resist it. I embrace it. Yes, I will weep and I don’t have to ask why. Just – cry. It makes me feel alive. I am inside myself- I am living my life and not just carrying the lives of those around me. I am so grateful. A single tear reminds me of all these things. So thankful. I don’t have to figure it all out. I just have to respond and surrender.
When I look at the extravagance of this house, and then the mountains, this blue blue sky, I pause to think that God is so much bigger than any way I could possibly imagine Him to be. I could hardly speak when I got here yesterday. My mind was shut down by the overwhelming beauty, but my heart was saying “yes”. Just “yes”. Isn’t it like God to think of every detail- like when He built the temple- every measurement well thought out, to build something so glorious and extravagant. And then, to give it freely to us, who couldn’t possibly conceive all He had done. ( Jesus eventually represented the temple, also freely given.)
‘ Such things are too wonderful for me, to lofty to attain.’~ Psalm 139:6. But we still say ‘yes’. We say ‘yes’ and ‘Thank You’.”
Enjoy some of the photos I have taken so far of this glorious place. Colorado.
5 Comments
“respond and surrender”
I like these two words together. They sound right . . . like they belong.
Its odd though – like moving and standing still all at the same time.
You have beautiful children by the way.
My vow is still yours.
You all deserve a wonderful gift of a vacation. I am so happy that those sweet parents of Chris’s could be there. I pray that you will all be safe and have fun, fun, fun!
“There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart”
Celia Thaxter (American Poet, 1836-1894)
I picked up on your blog about being grateful, and thought you might appreciate this quote.
I am a new author of a book titled: When I Am Grateful
It’s a gift book that outlines the ‘stuff’ that can happen to us everyday and then reminds
the reader how we can be grateful, even in the most challenging times.
You can view a book video on my site which gives you a free peek.
Go to: wheniamgrateful.com
Have a Grateful Day!
Holy moly those are beautiful images! I’m so glad you were able to rest and renew with your family in this beautiful place.
Your pictures are BEAUTIFUL!! I wanted to pass on a blog award that I just received. You can find the info here:
http://daveramseyroad.blogspot.com/2010/06/two-blog-awards-in-two-days.html
Thanks for sharing the beauty you see. It’s so inspiring!