Sunrise Over the Rockies

With my nose pressed hard against the glass I watched the terrain move by.  Snow covered every peak and I could only imagine the cold from my seat in the plane high above.  As the plane banked subtly to the west you see the red glow of the approaching sunrise as it teased the horizon.

My flight from Sal Lake City had departed before six in the morning and I was anxious to get back to Texas.  I looked below and in the dim morning light the vastness of the terrain below reminded me just how sheltered and naïve I really am.  I get in my own little zone sometimes and forget there is a whole big world out there that has absolutely nothing to do with me.

God is at work in every little crook and cranny of the world and his splendor and grace abound for all of us.  Suddenly, the sun peaked over the horizon and because of my seat I could see how the light caressed some places while others would have to wait awhile before they felt the light and warmth.

God’s light and warmth is there no matter the circumstances or situations.  Sometimes it may take a minute for us to realize it or feel it but it is there always.  As I watched the sun climb the shadows diminished and the light illuminated the snow packed peaks of the rugged mountain passages.

My drive into Salt Lake City earlier had revealed the glistening glitter of the snow packed roads and I knew the mountains glittered as well.  I just couldn’t see it from thirty thousand feet in the air.  God is there for us in the warmth of the salted sandy beaches and he is there for us in the jagged edges of the mountain peaks. Be it the mesquite and brush of West Texas or the sweetness of the tropics His light is the warmth that assures us, no matter what, that all is going well and going to be okay.

My vantage point above the Rocky Mountains gave me a new perspective.  God’s world isn’t just about me.  God’s world is all of us no matter where we are and what we are dealing with.  God’s world is each one of us in our situations and circumstances and he never ever leaves us to fend for ourselves.  His vastness is bigger than the Rocky Mountains and wider than the sky. There is nothing he cannot handle or take care of if we will only give him the opportunity to do so and trust and have the faith that he will be there for us.

Suddenly fluffy white clouds with a cotton candy texture obstructed my view below.  The terrain below disappeared and for a minute I couldn’t see anything.  As quickly as the terrain and sun disappeared it appeared again.  God is there for us, moving in and out, around and about monitoring each of his children and addressing our needs.

Take his hand today and let him be your priority.  Let him love you and care for you.  He is always there and he never abandons us.

I leaned back in my chair and closed my eyes.  Thank you, Lord, for all you are and all we can be through you.

Be Blessed This Day!

What God is Doing!

The hot breath of the horses left little puffs of vaporizing steam clouds as they pawed and brushed the gate wanting in under the shed. They were ready for breakfast.  The air was cold and crisp and I rubbed my hands together wishing I had grabbed gloves.

The dogs hunted west of the house and a coyote toyed with them but I could only hear him and couldn’t visually put my finger on him.  I poured grain in the troughs and made sure the metal wasn’t frosted with a film of ice.  I took a deep breath, sucked the cold deep into my lungs and thanked God for this morning.  I’m not a winter person but the clean cold air went right to my head and it was a pleasant change.

The horses filed past me and took their respective places under the shed row.  I had not really paid much attention but realized unexpectedly just how thick their coats had become.  God always prepares us for the days to come.  We may not realize it at the time but he consistently grooms us for our biggest hurtles and most difficult challenges.  He prepares us the same as he prepares animals and nature for the difficult times.  From his preparation comes the blessing and good in our lives.  Somewhere in all the difficulty he smiles and we realize there is purpose and intent to his plan.  We eventually come to understand greater and bigger things than we can grasp during our heartaches and tears.

Try as I might to ignore God’s promptings he is always there for me and continues to bless me even when I fail to realize or understand.  I listened to the horses cleaning their troughs, rattling chains and slurping water from the tanks.  I thought how dependent they are on us.  We could all take a lesson.  As we are the keeper and caretakers of our animals so God is our keeper and care taker.  I doubt we are as appreciative as our equine or canine friends. Our animals trust us explicitly knowing we will feed them and care for them.  They don’t spend much time stewing over it or worrying about it.  They love us even if we are late with their dinner or forget to bring them in out of the cold. I envy their faith and trust.

The dogs came running into the pens in a rush.  Hot from hunting their breath also vaporized into a mid air cloud of steam with each exhale.  They loved hunting on cool mornings because rattlesnakes were not an issue.  With all life’s challenges we all have one solid and stable rock; God, our Savior.  Trusting him and believing he is who he says he is it is our job. To trust him, to believe him, and depend on him is all he asks of us.  He will never force the issue and he always knocks first. Many times we get caught up in only the things we see and understand and we never see beyond our own perspective.  We never come to know or understand what God knows even if he is trying to tell us.

The horses finished breakfast and were anxious to be back outside.  The dogs took off again on another hunting expedition and I swung the gates open.  Assured by the fact all was right in their world the horses headed out the gate.  They knew I was where I was supposed to be, doing what I was supposed to be doing.  They understood it they believed it and they lived for it.

I should do the same for God.  I need to understand it, believe it and live for him.  I need to remember and believe in what God is doing.  What God is doing is what is best for me whether I understand all the intricate technicalities or not.  My horses and dogs don’t question me, they trust and love me; they believe in who I am and what I am going to do.  Who am I to question God and his plan?  I need to believe in who he is and what he is going to do and leave it at that. I need to take life a little slower-to walk with dignity and humility in light of who God is and what he is doing and let him take care of everything else.  That is why he is God. He doesn’t need me telling him how to do his job!

Be Blessed This Day!