Stunning Beauty {Giving Thanks for God’s Creation and our Time Away}

I’m flying at thirty six thousand feet, high above the clouds. The kids are asleep around me and I’ve just finished my second glass of tomato juice with no ice, the kind I seem to only drink when I’m on an airplane. Funny how that is! Maybe you have your favorite airplane drink too?

There’s something about flying that allows space to pause and reflect—time to think and consider. And we’ve had a wonderful trip—not a perfect trip, but intentional time together to make many memories that we won’t soon forget. Time spent laughing and holding hands, walking and singing and talking, eating plenty, and filling ourselves up with each other all the way to the very top.

And we’ve seen some amazing sights … beheld stunning beauty. And as I sort some pictures tonight, I’m overwhelmed with God’s goodness. Saturated by the vastness of all He has made. The diversity of His creation astounds me. And I’m marveling again at the beauty I’ve just seen and wanted to share a bit of it with you…

 

Psalm 19:1 (NASB)

The heavens are telling of the glory of God;

And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.

 

 

And Creation screams of His goodness. It shouts His greatness. And the most amazing thing of all is that Creator God has chosen you and me. He wants us, and delights in us. And I am so very thankful to Him for all He has made, all He gives, and for how He loves you and me.

May you be reminded of this today, is my prayer.

What are you giving thanks for today?

Continuing on, in the counting of One Thousand Gifts {#1226-1250}with Ann and this community, and the Joy Dare of 2012 with February’s new printable…

#1226 A chance to get away, together

#1227 Holding hands tightly in a crowd, and the security it brings

#1228 The wonder on little faces as they flew for the very first time

#1229 Lovely hotels with aromatherapy spa smells and smooth white sheets and towels

#1230 Everglades and the chance to SEE the ecosystem we had studied

#1231 Colorful birds, and sawgrass, and swamps, and large alligators seen up close

#1232 Prolonged time spent with my parents and the heritage they’ve given to me

#1233 Laughter and giggles, and high-pitched “talking” by stuffed animal friends in the far back seat of the van

#1234 Choosing thanks instead of irritation, at least half the time, which is success for me!

#1235 A grand ship to enjoy

#1236 Club HAL and the ladies who worked there and nurtured our kids all week

#1237 Delicious and never-ending food … and I mean NEVER-ENDING!

#1238 No cooking, or cleaning, or laundry–a break and time away

#1239 My husband’s birthday, the grandeur of the barrier reef at Grand Turk, and scuba diving together for the first time

#1240 Walking and exploring together as a family, the history of San Juan and the El Morro … so grand and majestic and full of history

#1241 The astonishing beauty of the U.S. Virgin Islands–just breathtaking…

#1242 An 11th anniversary day on the island of St. John: riding together on a scooter, exploring the island, eating at Skinny Legs, hiking to Lameshur Bay, and snorkeling in the sun

#1243 Indonesian crew members of the Eurodam and the joy their culture brings

#1244 Our nightly-Canadian-dinner-friends from Florida, with conversation and fun and such a delight

#1245 The turquoise water of the Bahamas and the sand that was as fine as flour

#1246 Building sand castles with daddy and grandpa

#1247 Kids learning to use snorkel equipment and the new world they discovered under the water

#1248 Quiet times while watching the ocean pass by, and the refilling that solitude and serenity brings

#1249 A non-stop flight home

#1250 Reuniting with our own beds and pillows … so glad to be home!

 

Related posts:

Hope and Thanks Seeing the Gifts May You Never Journey Alone {A Christmas Wish for You…}