Sometimes, I get overwhelmed. Sometimes, I find myself at a loss for words. And sometimes, I just want to run and hide. Because my circumstances seem too great to bear. But, every single time, His love searches me out. And quietly beckons. And softly reminds... that HE who is in me is greater than he who is in the world. And that He who began a good work in me WILL BE faithful to complete it. And that His mercies truly are new every morning as His faithfulness reaches to the skies. And I-- completely undeserving of it all-- am compelled... NOT to run and hide... but to give thanks. For His grace knows no limits and His love, no bounds.
O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me, is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward to Thy glorious rest above!
~S. Trevor Francis 1875
Last Thursday, my husband gave me a gift... a wonderfully wonderful gift.
Three nights at the beach.
In a lovely Bed & Breakfast.
All by myself.
Because He loves me.
"Men are never duly touched and impressed with a conviction of their insignificance,
until they have contrasted themselves with the majesty of God."
~ R.C. Sproul
(#968 - 994)
the generosity and thoughtfulness of my wonderfully wonderful husband
and his amazing act of love
3 days and 3 nights at the beach
with sandy toes
an 8-foot umbrella
text messages
shampoo
and pelicans
air conditioning and ceiling fans
cedar shake houses with bright white trim
gardens and flowerpots... filled to overflowing
brilliant color!
lifeguards on duty
and 5:00-- when the lifeguards go OFF duty & all the dog lovers race home...
only to return with their pups in tow, eager for a frolic in the sea
canine paradise
The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas
the hint of coconut-scented suntan lotion wafting on the breeze
ice cold Dr. Pepper and a brand new pack of gum
undisturbed sleep (plus a nap in the sun)
peace
the line where water meets sky... where earth meets heaven
the sun on the horizon
and the stillness of the dawn
time to reflect and refocus... rest and recharge
and a Sunday morning treat-- a worship service held right there on. the. beach.
a longing for home
the majesty of His creation
and the vastness of His love
"I pray that you... may have power, together with all the saints,
to grasp how wide and long
and high and deep is the love of Christ."
Ephesians 3:17-19
and the list goes on...
6 comments:
Welcome back!!! You already know how much I've missed your gratitude journal. : )
What an amazing gift! Your gorgeous pictures and words make me {almost} feel as if I got a lovely break too. I'm so happy for you!
Be still my heart! I was thrilled to see that you posted today and added to your list, no less!
What an amazing gift, Heather! Chris, no doubt, loves you greatly and treasures your presence so much that he recognized your need to get away in order to have you back. :) I get that.
May you start this week afresh, knowing in a new and deeper way HOW MUCH YOU ARE LOVED. By your husband, your children, by many many others, but mostly by God. He is crazy in love with you, Heather. Not just some of the time. ALL of the time. It is my prayer that you embrace it and live it. It's my prayer for me too. For all of us.
All my love and a great big hug too,
Christine
Ohh, I've missed you! I was thinking of you and hoping you'd post soon. Such a lovely list and precious husband!
Blessings!
Deborah
This is a red letter day. Two of my favorite young women have posts after a long absence. I have missed you Heather.
What a thoughtful, magical gift! It is a secret little dream I have - a few days alone by the ocean. I am so very delighted for you.
It all looks exactly like my dream!
Glad to have you back blogging. Hope the BEACH was all that your pictures convey. What a nice bread from the very hectic life you lead. Love you, Moggie
Thought about you often and prayed for you lots this weekend as I thought of you and your secret getaway... wishing secretly to be there with you. :) Love you friend, glad you're back... guess I better get on the stick and get going... LOVE THE PICTURES!!! LOVE YOU!!! Check your calendar ;)
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