Soulful

Saturday started off typically enough, Hubs woke up early and went out to the living room to read while I slept in. Then I woke up and summoned him to come cuddle with me, as per our usual routine. But things immediately got interesting when I asked him what he wanted to do that day. He said, "I want to drive to the mountains." It doesn't take much to twist my arm to go on a spontaneous road trip to a beautiful place with my hubby, so I  immediately said, "Let's go!"

I took this photo on our drive up the mountain. Isn't it cool when the moon rises mid-day?! It looked so big when it was low on the horizon!  

After our gorgeous drive up the mountain, we arrived at Lake Arrowhead. I love going there in the fall. The crisp air just makes you want to walk around outside.

We wandered in and out of several shops and even discovered that Mrs. G's husband has a toy store there!  ;)


At dusk, we decided to take a drive around the lake. It was so beautiful. The beauty of nature refreshes my soul.

Just being out in nature seemed to turn my heart and mind toward God. I was reminded of this quote from Donald Miller's book Searching for God Knows What that I find both profound and comical:  "If you don't get to a beautiful place every couple of years, you get to thinking everything is urban, as though when God made creation He just made some medium-size buildings, a bowling alley, and a burger place."

We decided to pull off the road and sit to watch the sunset, and wow, did God show up!



It was soulful, as if the artist in God was speaking to the artist in me. "Let me show you My majesty through this ever-changing painting. You think these colors are brilliant? Just wait five more minutes!"

I wish I could say that I responded in worship or even thanks, but I didn't. For some reason, my heart was a little cold toward God that evening--resistant toward Him--even though He was calling to me with His magnificent brush strokes on the celestial canvas. I didn't like the attitude of my heart, but I was aware of it. I am struggling with God a little bit, but He is being so patient and loving toward me. (I only share that because I think it would be disingenuous to paint a totally rosy picture, when that wasn't the truth of what was going on in my heart.) Thankfully, He is patient with me, even when I am resistant to Him.

As we drove down the mountain to head home, the sky was a bright glowing red, kind of like the color of a cigarette lighter in your car when it is primed and hot. It was breath taking. I'd never seen the sky that red before. It seemed to be a once in a lifetime thing to witness. 

Thank You, Lord, for the beautiful ways You remind me that You're here, even when I'm not the most grateful recipient of your gifts of grace.