Simple things bring me great joy. The sun was settling itself comfortably down for the night, and its gentle rays bathed my neighbor's horse in golden light.
Trails of fire splashed through the air as my sweet friend gazed once at me, and then went back to the business of grazing.
As the sun's rays feathered her in radiance, my heart rested in the beauty of her contentment.
The wide expanse of the skies above me, were once again the theater for the evening show.
Gentle fog rising in the valley as the warmth departed from the skies.
As the earth around me was being wrapped in the shadows of nightfall, I looked up, up, upward to the skies.
Up, above, and beyond the shadows of the world around me.
Ever pressing onward, the shadows around me darkening... yet the brilliance in the skies caused me to ever look up, and press onward.
At times the shadows around me were brightened with splashes of the last light from the skies.
My gaze was lifted upward, and my heart was stilled in the midst of the shadows.
And then... it happened... this! This was what I was waiting for, the grand finale in the theater of the skies. And I knew, yes I knew. The Master Painter and Creator... did it for me... and anyone who cared to lift their eyes and see. His glory spilled from His hand into the skies, and joy, sweet joy rested in me.
No, we cannot know what tomorrow holds, or the next day or the next... why, we can't even know what the next moment holds for us!
But we can trust in the ONE who does know it all.
And while the evening shadows fall around us, and storms do come with their fury...
And at times we wonder ..
Lord, do you care? Are you there? What will be of it all?
I tell you with calm assurance that our magnificent Lord who holds the world in the palm of His hand... has us gently in His great care.
The Lord has given me great peace and contentment in these days when division and fear seem to abound on every hand. Our Lord is in control, no matter what direction the world around us seems to be taking. So, my dear, dear friends... do not be discouraged, and do not fret.
Just look up... and you will know.
All is well.. In HIM!
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Beautiful photos! Love that time of day and you captured it beautifully.
ReplyDeleteIt is a very special time of day to walk, and the skies did not disappoint! Hugs to you Marie :)
DeleteAmen, and we need to remind each other as this is what helps us in these days that seem a bit out of control. But we know God has it in complete control...
ReplyDeleteI loved your lovely photos and as you said we do not even know what the next moment holds for us! Blessings dear friend!
xo Roxy
There is great peace in knowing the ONE who has it all in His hands, and for that I am thankful! Hugs to you today dear Roxy, may the Lord's sweetest blessings be abundantly with you :)
DeleteThat is such a beautiful place you live in-with the big open areas and the skies that just seem to settle right down around you -earth meeting sky. Your pictures are awesome.
ReplyDeleteYes- sometimes we do wonder-WHY? WHY NOW? WHY THIS? But, even with those questions we have only to trust that He knows what is behind it all. Blessings- xo Diana
Thank you Diana, it is my joy to share the beauty around me. And oh yes, there is great peace in knowing the ONE who has it all in His hands, and for that I am thankful! Hugs to you today, may the Lord's sweetest blessings be abundantly with you :)
DeleteYour pictures are beautiful, topped off with words of wisdom and encouragment. I love the fall pictures especially.
ReplyDeleteThank you Betty! It is my joy to share the beauty around me. Hugs to you today, may the Lord's sweetest blessings be abundantly with you :)
DeleteI can imagine in the majesty and quiet of your beautiful surroundings it would be easy to hear God talk. :) Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us...and that sky! Wow.
ReplyDeleteYes Kim, it truly is a sweet joy to share the beauty around me, and the Lord's presence is always so near. Hugs to you today, may the Lord's sweetest blessings be abundantly with you :)
DeleteYes! So very well said! God is in control and I'm so glad I AM NOT! Great reminder... Beautiful pictures. Beautiful Jesus...
ReplyDeleteHugs to you,
Amy
Oh yes Amy, it is my joy to share the beauty around me. Truly there is great peace in knowing the ONE who has it all in His hands, and for that I am thankful! Hugs to you today, may the Lord's sweetest blessings be abundantly with you :)
DeleteAmen! What an amazing sky....looks like angel clouds! Your photos are beautiful and so are your words!xo
ReplyDeleteLinda
It is my joy to share the beauty around me, and the skies, oh they always hold such beauty as they are constantly changing. Hugs to you today, may the Lord's sweetest blessings be abundantly with you :)
DeleteBeautifully written and I shall say, Amen.
ReplyDeleteYour photos certainly show God's glory.
Thank you for sharing your joy~~
Thank you dear Debbie! It is my joy to share the beauty around me. There is great peace too in knowing the ONE who has it all in His hands, and for that I am thankful! Hugs to you today, may the Lord's sweetest blessings be abundantly with you :)
DeleteOh, such beautiful pictures! I think my favorite one was the one where you may have been sitting on the ground taking it of the corner of a fence. I love photographing fences and gates and paths...they are just so beckoning! I am so thankful you found peace on your walk with Annie in the presence of our precious Lord. Oh, He is so near...especially to the broken-hearted. My heart is SO heavy and broken over things right now, and it seems my tears are a river. The only hope we have is in HIM, and all we can do is plead for His mercy upon us, even though we do NOT deserve it in any way. Thank you for sharing your beautiful walk with us, sweet friend. Sending you lots of love and hugs!
ReplyDeleteDear Cheryl, I know the tears you have cried were heard by the Lord! What a powerful thing has happened, and we must continue our warfare in prayer, and believe that the Lord will continue the work He is doing. I too love to photograph fences and gates, there is such a lovely rustic look to them. It is my joy to share the beauty around me. And oh yes, there is great peace in knowing the ONE who has it all in His hands, and for that I am thankful! Hugs to you today, may the Lord's sweetest blessings be abundantly with you :)
DeleteYour eye for details amazes me more and more, dearest Marilyn !
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your day with gladness, sweetest friend of mine,
sending big hugs across the many miles,
God bless you ... always
Xx Dany
I'm delighted that you enjoy the beauty of the Lord with me Dany, many sweet blessings and hugs to you today dear friend!
DeleteSo beautiful ♥
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit, always so appreciated!
DeleteYour photos and encouraging words are so beautiful Marilyn. We in Canada are thinking of our American friends today and praying for God's will to be done. The outcome will greatly affect us as well but I also believe that God is in control and this is all part of His much greater plan that we cannot see or know. Blessings to you. xo Pam
ReplyDeleteI know you do understand the joy you feel to share the beauty around with our camera {smiles} And oh yes, there is great peace in knowing the ONE who has it all in His hands, and for that I am thankful! Hugs to you today, may the Lord's sweetest blessings be abundantly with you :)
DeleteYour pictures are so pretty, I enjoyed them. Yes, God is still on His Throne and we are in His care. No matter who is in the White House, Jesus Christ is still King.
ReplyDeleteIt gives me great joy to share the beauty around me. And oh yes, there is great peace in knowing the ONE who has it all in His hands, and for that I am thankful! Hugs to you today, may the Lord's sweetest blessings be abundantly with you :)
DeleteBeautiful, Marilyn, and so very well said. The photos are lovely, but the truths that you have shared are even more precious. They are priceless. I am so thankful that God is sovereign ... that He is the Lord God Omnipotent, and He reigns. We need not worry ... as we stay our minds on Him, He will keep us in perfect peace no matter the outcome of this troubled election.
ReplyDeleteThank you, my dear friend for your words, they mean so much to me! It is my joy to share the beauty around me. And oh yes, there is great peace in knowing the ONE who has it all in His hands, and for that I am thankful! Hugs to you today, may the Lord's sweetest blessings be abundantly with you :)
DeleteOh what beautiful pictures! And that sweet Annie is a doll too! Love your message and yes...we must always look up...Keep our eyes on Him! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteThank you Cindy, it does bring me great joy to share the beauty of the Lord with those who come to visit me here! Annie is just precious to me, I love her so! It truly is my joy to share the beauty around me. And oh yes, there is great peace in knowing the ONE who has it all in His hands, and for that I am thankful! Hugs to you today, may the Lord's sweetest blessings be abundantly with you :)
DeleteOh yes...you and I are kindred spirits, Marilyn. I could be out on a country road with my camera all day long and gaze upon the magnificent creations that come from our Father. LOVED all of these beautiful photos! Enjoy the rest of your week!♥♥♥
ReplyDeleteOh, wouldn't we be a pair together! I would love it! I know you understand the deep joy that comes with camera in hand, and sharing the beauty around me through the lens. And oh yes, there is great peace in knowing the ONE who has it all in His hands, and for that I am thankful! Hugs to you today, may the Lord's sweetest blessings be abundantly with you :)
DeleteHi Marilyn! I think it's such a gift to have the time to walk and gaze at God's creation. I love to do that, and I'm always rewarded by the sights and smells of the season. What a beautiful horse too!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the encouragement to be at peace, and have faith in the Lord. That is our comfort.
Blessings,
Ceil
It truly is a blessing to be able to leisurely walk, and just soak up the beauty around me. It is one of the best times of my day, and plus, just walking and talking with the Lord is always what my soul needs! It gives me great joy to share the beauty around me. And oh yes, there is great peace in knowing the ONE who has it all in His hands, and for that I am thankful! Hugs to you today, may the Lord's sweetest blessings be abundantly with you :)
DeleteYour post is so fitting in lieu of yesterdays Elections & so pertainent to everyday of our lives. - Love the beautiful area you live. So many wonderful photos here today that were so enjoyed.
ReplyDeleteIt gives me sweet joy to share the beauty around me with my camera, and I know you share in that blessing too! I always enjoy your pictures, from your point of view :) And oh yes, there is great peace in knowing the ONE who has it all in His hands, and for that I am thankful! Hugs to you today, may the Lord's sweetest blessings be abundantly with you :)
DeleteA horseback ride would be sheer delight right about now! I'm not sure I could get on or off with the greatest of ease, but just the idea makes me smile!
ReplyDeleteLOL, I think our dear horse friend would not appreciate a ride about now, I'm told she is over 20 years old! She is content now to just munch all day long! I'm lucky if I can even get her to look at me, lol! Appreciate your visit Linda, always such a joy!
DeleteYour Annie is so beautiful. I loved your post-especially in light of the election and so much hatred going around. Yes, we know who holds us in the Palm of His Hand.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Noreen
Annie is a delight to walk with, I'm blessed. It truly gives me great joy to share the beauty around me. And oh yes, there is great peace in knowing the ONE who has it all in His hands, and for that I am thankful! Hugs to you today, may the Lord's sweetest blessings be abundantly with you :)
DeleteJust beautiful.
ReplyDeleteThank you Annie, a delight to have you stop by for a visit! Hugs to you today :)
DeleteThank you for this beautiful selection of God's glory shown in the skies...giving us hope and encouragement for each new day...Our God IS an awesome God...we have so much to be thankful for!!
ReplyDeleteOh, it is my joy to share the beauty around me. And oh yes, there is great peace in knowing the ONE who has it all in His hands, and for that I am thankful! Hugs to you today, may the Lord's sweetest blessings be abundantly with you :)
DeleteWhat beautiful photography. Thank you so much for sharing the photos and your thoughts. Yes, God is so good and He's still in control in these times of uncertainty. We need only to let Him be God (because I'm sure not) and allow Him to work His wonderful plans for our lives!
ReplyDeleteWe have faith in a certain God in spite of the uncertainty of events around us, and that thought is always comforting to me! Appreciate your visit (sorry I'm so late getting back to thanking you for this comment!) Hugs to you today!
DeleteThere is nothing as beautiful than going for a walk, drinking in the awesomeness of God's masterful creation. I am always humbled and grateful that he loves me and that He knows all. There is no need to worry, is there, we can trust Him. Love your gorgeous photos, Marilyn. I always delight in visiting your gorgeous little corner of the world.
ReplyDeleteIt is my favorite thing to do, walk and talk with the Lord, as His ways and creative beauty always calm my heart. Appreciate your visit (sorry I'm so late getting back to thanking you for this comment!) Hugs to you today!
DeleteBeautiful photos and beautiful words. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lynne, appreciate your visit as always!
DeleteBeautiful pictures! Thank you for sharing this. I, too, take lots of evening sky photos. I'm always in awe at the beautiful colors He gives us for our delight. And I always seem to find Him outdoors...in moments just like these. I truly loved this post. :)
ReplyDeleteI truly never can cease to be amazed at the beauty of the Lord's creation! Appreciate your visit (sorry I'm so late getting back to thanking you for this comment!) Hugs to you today!
DeleteSigh...I so want to live in Idaho, so pretty, friend...thank you for the many smiles. Have a beautiful rest of the weekend.
ReplyDeleteIt is an amazing place to live, but I think where you live is lovely too!
DeleteAppreciate your visit (sorry I'm so late getting back to thanking you for this comment!) Hugs to you today!
wow it's just so beautiful where you live. I would never get tired looking at the scenery everyday!! :)
ReplyDeleteI truly never can cease to be amazed at the beauty of the Lord's creation! Appreciate your visit (sorry I'm so late getting back to thanking you for this comment!) Hugs to you today!
DeleteI was out walking today....very different scenery but the peace is there in Him.
ReplyDeleteI truly never can cease to be amazed at the beauty of the Lord's creation! Appreciate your visit (sorry I'm so late getting back to thanking you for this comment!) Hugs to you today!
DeleteSuch a true and wonderful message - that we can have peace and joy in HIM! Beautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteIn HIM all is well, a message I've come to depend on each day!
DeleteAppreciate your visit (sorry I'm so late getting back to thanking you for this comment!) Hugs to you today!