Sunday Afternoon Reflection

 

After raining this morning, the skies cleared and the afternoon has been beautiful and warm. After going for a walk, it's been a great afternoon to sit on my back patio and enjoy the warm breeze and sunshine. I hear children laughing down the street. A lawn mower is going off in the distance. My neighbors are puttering around their yards. It's the kind of Sunday afternoon that one wishes would never end.

I'm coming off a busy few weeks and it was an equally busy weekend. We had a work day at church yesterday and I spent a couple of hours there, cleaning windows and pews. My oldest son, Nathan, turned 30 years old yesterday and so I spent the rest of the day cooking his birthday meal request. Our middle son, Stephen, is here for a few days. This morning was taken up with church. 

However, even in the busyness I'm thankful that I am able to find time to do some reflection. 

It's been a hard year and one of adjusting and yet, God has remained faithful. No matter how many days I wake up feeling down, I find new encouragement each day. 

Flowers are blooming, reminding me that even in the winter season there is life beneath the surface.

Birds are singing and chattering which reminds me that when I keep my eyes on God's promises and sing His praises, joy does follow.

Blossoms are opening, remind me that when I allow God to lead me into new circumstances and situations, even though they may be hard, He will help me to bloom and show His beauty in the middle of pain.

When I start to insecure or like I don't fit in, God reminds me that I truly AM loved not just by my husband and children, but by Him who calls me daughter. He shaped and molded me into the woman He wants me to be. So if I need to be a dandelion in a field of roses, then I should stand proud.

When I can't see the way ahead, I am reminded that I don't need to see the end of the path, I just need to take the next step and He will guide my footsteps.

I'm thankful for a Sunday afternoon to reflect. To walk and pray. To sit and listen. It's a time of refreshment and rejuvenation. I'm ready to face a new week, safe in the knowledge that come what may, God is walking with me into it.