This week our family is gathered in a lovely home in Orlando for some rest and togetherness. I am so grateful for this time.
I took this image tonight of my Annie as she stretched and breathed over the horizon. She was personifying how I am feeling. Yes, breathe a little more — stretch a little more.
Stretching is not typically a relaxing experience. As muscles that are wadded tight begin to unfurl, it hurts. We have to remember to breathe and allow ourselves to stay in the moment until the release comes.
I have been stretched in the past, involuntarily, and I have often grumbled through the process.
It is time to stretch and be present and joyful at the same time. I don’t want to grow old having run in my same circular ruts and find myself in the same place I am in now. I want to move into new positions and places of beauty, each a little more streamlined and elegant than the one before. So I am volunteering for some stretching, however it may come.
Jesus, I am yours. I want to be all that you made me to be.
Psalm 139:23,23 ~”Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Maryanne, My heart too! Thank you. You say it so beautifully.
Thank you Jonna! Let’s stretch together!
Beautiful thoughts and images, as always, Mary Anne. And that shot of you in the upper right? Holy smokes, what a babe. Somehow, that fits with the beauty of this space. Thanks for all of it.
Thank you Diana! You are always so kind and thoughtful with your comments. 🙂
Beautiful pictures, and I have seen this verse over and over the last few weeks in lots of different places. I have to say I have felt that I have been creaking more than stretching through this season of tremendous life changes, but I love your words and will keep them to review, and remind, Thank you! 🙂
these are beautiful glad you had a relaxing time.
Beautiful!!!
Hi Maryann I so love your photography I wondered if I might use your entry about surrender in a devotional I am writing. If I ever publish or even print it out I will be sure to give you credit and to send you the actual post. Please let me know if this is permissible. I am a 60 year old retired mom of three and btw I love Labs Holden’s and golden mixes…
Kathy Barclay
That must be a Freudian slip as our golden mix is named Holden lol.