Million-Dollar World

Friday, January 11, 2019


On a recent walk with my two walking companions, Annie-girl and Riley, the world around me was full of sparkles, and as I walked I thought... how lucky am I to be walking in a Million-Dollar World... and thus the following was written once I got home...

Pulling back the darkness in gentle swaths of light,
the sun’s rays push warm fingers of liquid gold across the skies. 





Misty fog gingerly hovers below the horizon, 
shimmering in the delight of the sun’s warmth. 



Old Man Jack Frost has left his mark overnight, and the world lies
stiff and unmoving in the frigid grasp of frosts’ embrace. 

As morning pushed back the night, and day hugged the darkness goodbye,
I step outside, leaving the warmth of my home to welcome the new day. 


The earth below my feet crunches and my breath hangs close to me. 


The chilled air awakens my senses, as my steps begin a cadence of rhythm
with the dogs who eagerly greet the morning with me. 



Walking step-in-step together, the cold nipping at our cheeks,
we lift our faces to the sun and soak in the brilliance of her offering.


And then I see why the world is hushed in quietness
and the dregs of cold are silenced in the moment. 

A million, a billion, no a trillion glittering jewels beckon to me
as the sun’s rays grace them. 


Each petal, stem and golden leaf are clamoring in their bid for my attention… 
See me? See me?
Adorned in exquisitely jeweled shimmering frost,
made beautiful by the glint of the sun’s rays,
each tender stem shivered as the light’s fanciful touch
transformed them into a mass choir of dancing joy.

Mesmerized by the million-dollar world dancing before me, I saw each jeweled plant calling out to me, twinkling in its moment of grandeur, grasping for my attention.

Could I pick but one, I wondered? I reached out to touch the million tiny diamonds twinkling on the leaf, but its grandeur vanished at my touch. 

It was not for me to hold.  It was not for me to have. 


It was for me to gaze upon in the darting moment of time and soak up its beauty deep within my soul… this moment of grandeur was not mine to take.  It was mine for now, for just that moment. 

I stood there, humbled to be here, in this million-dollar world hugging my heart in its joy. 



The gift of the moment soaked into my soul, and I bowed my head in thankfulness to the Creator, the One who crafted this moment of splendor for my delight. 

Then… just as time marches on impatiently, I too had to turn and walk on with those impatient dogs… they did not see the world I had just stepped into, they had work to do and I had held up their progress. 

But for the moment, for that piece of time, the morning jewels and I had embraced, and part of their glamor now rested in my soul. 

Just as that moment brushed my soul with its glory… time in its impatient work propelled me onward and forward.  But no one can ever take from me the joy of knowing I walked in a million-dollar world. 


Time marches on
and no moment can ever last forever
But it can be stored safe 
in the depths of my heart,
knowing that it is not mine to hold or grasp in my hands,
but in my soul 
this moment lives on, forever...

My encounter with heaven in a million-dollar world.


As I walked on, this song I heard recently begin to sing in my heart, and I want to share it with you, may you be blessed in the delights that only our Great Creator can design!


I have nothing but praise for you Lord! 




73 comments

  1. Your words are inspirational. And the photos just reflect the beauty.

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    1. Thank you Barbara, your visit is much appreciated :)

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  2. Thank you for the inspiration, Marilyn.

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  3. Breathtakingly beautiful.

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  4. Such beautiful photographs, and your words are amazing.
    A wonderful post completed by your choice of music you shared.
    Thank you.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thank you Jan, the music really just perfectly shared how I felt, blessings and hugs!

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  5. Exquisite photography and wonderful prose=a great combination. I can see why it inspires awe and gratitude.

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  6. Thank you, Marilyn, for inviting us to share in your million-dollar world, filled to overflowing with God's grace, gifts and glory. Your words here didn't speak, they sang, and your photos were the Hallelujah Chorus!
    Blessings to you, my friend, and tell those pups to slow down and savor the moment - lol!

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    1. Praise the One from whom all blessings flow, indeed it was He that inspired me and created this beautiful world I live in! Thankful it blessed your heart too!

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  7. Beautiful,rich scenes and inspiring words.

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    1. Thank you Ruth, you and I both love to see the beauty of the world around us! Hugs :)

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  8. What a nice visit here today....thanks for sharing such beauty! ♥

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    1. Thank you for your visit Carrie, such a blessing to meet you! Hugs :)

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  9. Oh, Marilyn, I loved this...and it is always nice to know someone else who views beauty such as you have shared here with us as a gift from our Father. Our worldview definitely affects the way we see such things.

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    1. Truly it is a gift from the Lord, His incredible gift to us each day, thankful to share it with you! Appreciate your love for Him too :) Hugs!

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  10. How beautiful is the world that you showed us today Marilyn. Here, in town we had frost and freezing rain on Tuesday and I’m sure if I had stopped and looked closely enough, I would have seen the beauty in it. Your words made me remember and I need to do that. Such a lovely, lovely photos and your beautiful words to go with them. Thank you my friend.
    Blessings, Betsy

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    1. Sometimes we have to look a bit harder indeed Betsy, but this is a beautiful world we live in! Hope all is well with you! Hugs!

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  11. You and I do live in million dollar parts of the world; both different but both singing the glorious hymn of the Creator. How beautiful your lyrical words are dancing across the magical wintry landscape you have captured with your camera. Those fleeting moments of witnessing the beauty of nature is indeed a most perfect thing...profoundly satisfying. Indeed God's whispers and triumphant, resounding voice singing to us through nature is food for the soul. Your shining post resplendent in both your transcendent words and otherworldly photos has blessed my soul this fine day...thank you, dear Marilyn♥

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    1. Oh yes Kim, we do see such glory in the world around us, how truly marvelous it is! Thank you for your sweet words, they blessed my heart today, and I rejoice in that we both rejoice in the beauty our Lord shares with us! Blessings and hugs!

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  12. Just beautiful! Your experience is the best part of winter.

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    1. Scenes like these make me love winter with all my heart AnnMarie! Blessings and hugs!

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  13. Marilyn, i felt like i was reading a book and was invited to join you in your million dollar world . Absolutely beautiful words written and breathtaking pictures . Only God counsel create something so beautiful for your eyes to see . I just started a new Bible study called Wonderstruck by Margaret Feinberg. Oh your writing and pictures had surely displayed Wonderstruck . Thank you for sharing . Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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    1. Thank you Cindy, it was such a beautiful scene, for which I hold in my heart now, as the rain falls! The new bible study sounds wonderful, I must look into it! Appreciate your visit and friendship, blessings!

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  14. What a wonderful, inspirational and uplifting post. It was a real joy to visit and admire the beauty in your stunning photographs and the comfort in your words.

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    1. I'm thankful to have shared the beauty of the moment with you! Always appreciate your visits, blessings and hugs :)

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  15. Without HIM holding me tight, I could never have gotten thru the shattered heartbreak of losing Mr. Sweet.

    This is such a lovely post.

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    1. Dear BJ, I know this has been such a tough time for you. HIS presence does carry us through the most difficult of times, and you continue to be in my prayers! Thank you for your visit :)

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  16. Great story. Thanks or sharing.

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  17. Equally beautiful photos and words to enhance those photos. Sometimes we just need to look around with wonder and awe and know how greatly we are blessed no matter out situation. xo Diana

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    1. I know its hard for you to see the beauty of winter, but it can be found :) Blessings to you!

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  18. Nothing but praise for you, Lord! Amen, and amen! Even in the midst of times that are the total opposite of the beauty you found the other morning, He is still worthy of our praise. This is such a beautiful, beautiful post, sweet friend. I felt like I was walking right alongside you in that snow. Moments like that just beckon us to the throne of grace, don't they? Sometimes, I just feel His presence so near, I feel like I could reach out and touch Him, physically. He is so precious and dear to my soul. May He ever hold you close and grace your days with moments like these!

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    1. It was such a beautiful time of worship Cheryl... how grateful I am for these beautiful winter days, and especially to feel His presence in the beauty of His creation, a majestic experience! Blessings to you sweet friend, your words are beautiful to my heart :)

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  19. Such beauty... in the glory and wonder of those moments captured and in the grace of your written expressions. Blessings to you.
    Tamara xo

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    1. Thank you Tamara, it was a moment of exquisite delight and beauty, one of the reasons I love winter so :) Thank you for your visit, blessings!

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  20. I can't say it any better than the ladies above did! Your words to describe your world in those moments were deeply felt by me. When I lived in SW Washington up in the mountains, I experienced a million dollar world many many times! Your words and photos made me miss that world so much! I have many photos similar to yours.. the quiet walks through the woods and under the snow laden trees.. with sparkles of sunshine peeking through the branches... sigh..... it brought back such wonderful memories! I so envy you.... but sometimes.. even in this dry area were I live, HE can turn it also into a million dollar world as he paints the skies pink and gold and tops the mountains with puffs of clouds and hazy mists. I think I must print out your post and put it nearby, so I can be reminded that wherever we live, there is a million dollar world out there, just waiting for us to discover it! Hugs to you! Marilyn J.

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    1. The world we live in is filled with beauty, different sorts of beauty of course, but it is still there, and so even in your arid area, there is still a beauty in the skies indeed! I understand how you must miss this so much, and am thankful I can share the beauty with you through the lens of my camera. Truly the Lord blesses us abundantly with gifts of beauty and delight in the world around us! Appreciate your friendship so much, blessings and hugs :)

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  21. Wow! The beauty of it all...your beautiful words and your beautiful pictures. I am in awe!

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures, it was magnificent! Blessings to you :)

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  22. Your photos just take my breath away!

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    1. And even taking the pictures, it didn't seem like I was capturing what I was seeing. Our God is amazing, His creation never ceases to bring joy to my heart! Blessings to you today :)

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  23. Marilyn, you world looks as if it is from a beautiful picture book. Absolutely magical!

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    1. Thank you Gina, even taking the pictures, it never quite seemed to capture what I was seeing. The Lord's creation never ceases to amaze me!

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  24. Dear, dear Marilyn...what an anointed post. I could feel your joy in your writing, and the photos added to the beauty and excitement in your soul. Thank your for the boldness you have to express your awe and love of the Lord...you, my friend, are an inspiration. Love this.
    Debbie
    xo

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  25. Marilyn, that was all so beautiful. Not only your words and description but the subject of your Million $ World. Your photos are brilliant and the lighting is wonderful. I would love to have a scene such as that to take advantage of and to learn a lesson from. Thank you for your kind words to me and your help..Happy Weekend..Judy

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  26. Absolutely gorgeous, Marilyn! You certainly are blessed, my mountain friend!

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  27. Marilyn,
    Thank you! Your words and photos are wonderful and just what I needed on this day I am feeling a little blue.
    Love, Carla

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  28. Marilyn,
    Your words and images here are exquisitely beautiful! Wow! You really are a very talented writer. I so enjoyed reading this my friend! Xx

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  29. Beautifully written, I too get that feeling when I am out walking in God's creation, I get so overwhelmed by what he blesses us with, especially when we can stop and really take it all in. You have a beautiful way of saying it!

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  30. Breathtaking post...How stunning!Blessings!

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  31. Marilyn - thanks for your recent visit to my blog, which led me here, and I am so thankful it did! A brilliant, radiant post. I can relate to your words and sentiments as we have a similar environment here in northwest Montana - a glittering world that can disappear under our touch or with a slight breath of wind … Thanks for sharing this glorious beauty with us, and I pray you are having a blessed week.

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  32. Good Afternoon Marilyn. Such a pleasure to stop by, relax and enjoy your pictures. They are just so beautiful. I love the horses in your previous posts too. Thank you so much!

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  33. Marilyn, You're truly a very talented writer :) Montana is such a beautiful state and you have captured it's loveliness in your gorgeous photos. Absolutely Great Post!
    Wishing you a wonderful day.
    Connie :)
    P.S. Thank you for the sweet Christmas card, I can't remember if I thanked you already or not (I have lots of senior moments) you're blogging friendship is greatly appreciated.

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  34. Beautiful words for beautiful poem. I've also been enjoying your winter images on IG.

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  35. Beautiful. Such a good reminder for me to look for the beauty in winter (it’s not my favorite time of year!) as I’ve been dreading the predicted snowfall coming in a few days lol.

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  36. Marilyn you live in a winter wonderland! Such beauty all around you. And those faithful companions of yours are so cute. I love the pictures of the sun shining through the tall trees. I can feel the warmth of the sun in the photos. And your words exude so much goodness and appreciation for these Winter days that are upon us. I hope the new year is being kind to you, and 2019 brings you so much joy and peace. : )

    ~Sheri

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  37. Riley is such a beautiful dog! It's been fun to watch him grow up.
    Where you live in Idaho, it is so beautiful, all year long.

    Looks like you have been "attacked by a troll", sorry!

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  38. Beautiful post, Marilyn. You captured those sparkles well and your words capture the sparkle, too! Blessings.

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  39. Oh, what a wonderful "million dollar world" you have shared with us! I love the images as well as the thoughts inspired by the Lord as you embraced the world of beauty set before your eyes. Thank you for sharing this magnificence with us. I can almost feel the frost on my cheeks as I savor the moment with you. Our God is an awesome God, and yes, we have to just stop and praise Him for such beauty. Thank you for sharing this with us. What a blessing.

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  40. Oh Marilyn, what beautiful words you've written and shared that compliments your wonderful photography, of your million dollar world. I'm so thankful that I get to share the beauty of all of God's creation through your blog. Blessings to you!

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  41. You have a beautiful blog and although I had not heard the song before, I loved listening to it, "I have nothing but praise for You, Lord" How very very true.

    Your descriptions of this Million Dollar World are exquisite. Like you, I see jewels outside. The dew on the morning grass are an abundance of diamonds! But they disappear when I touch them.

    I see that you live in Idaho. One of my desires for many years was to visit Coeur d'Alene so some 6 years or so ago we drove up there from our home (at that time) in Denver. WE LOVED IT! We went in the summertime and although it was oppressively hot that week (which really surprised us), we thoroughly enjoyed poking around. We rode that boat that takes you out on the lake past all the gorgeous homes on the shore. The trees, water, sky -- all of it was amazing and all I had hoped for. We enjoyed walking the streets of downtown, too. We also made a quick jaunt over to Spokane, but our real joy was Coeur d'Alene.

    It was not to be our place of retirement, however, as nearly all of our family live east of the Mississippi. We are in Florida now and this is where we will stay.

    Thank you for visiting my blog. I sure enjoyed my visit here! Blessings to you!

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  42. Marilyn, I've been meaning to check back and read this blog post. So glad I did. It is so very beautiful and touches my heart. The pictures are amazing and I looked closely at each one, matching them to your words. You write beautifully! So glad I didn't miss this post!

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  43. Marilyn,, this it's so beautiful and inspirational!! Makes me ponder how generously God lavishes blessings on us in his glorious creation, many times things so small that no one even notices. Except angels and the appreciative 💓. God bless you!

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  44. Your Winter photography is mesmerizing! I love Winter photos. Your dog looks so sweet! Lovely words and song!

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  45. It is indeed a glorious world... that you have so eloquently captured in your photos...God has blessed us with this beauty and your beautiful words...It was an inspiring post...Thank You for sharing....May God Bless !!!

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  46. Dear Marilyn when ever i visit your beautiful blog i find it heart of humble soul soaked with deep grace and love of dear Creator !

    it is truly blessing to know you my friend :)

    this is very powerful ,uplifting and glorious post!
    thank you for taking me along for such lovely ,poetic and magical walk!

    enjoyed each bit of it ,your gratitude warms my heart throughout !

    your captures make me feel stand beside you and absorbing all the glory and beauty of nature !

    wishing you a happy healthy and more blessed year ahead !
    hugs!

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  47. Those snowy scenes are just amazing! I've always felt that feeling of awe when I stand and look out at the ocean. Now I feel that way when I get deep in the forest too. It really makes you thankful to be alive! Stay warm this week! Hugs!

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  48. So beautiful, Marilyn. I hope that you are all keeping warm.
    Amalia
    xo

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Your comments are blessings to me, and I appreciate each and every one, they are precious to me! I appreciate you taking the time to comment on my blog... this is what makes blogging worthwhile! Have a blessed day!

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