This Is A Beautiful Place To Be

Hey Guys! This is so very exciting; you are currently reading my very first blog post. So very cool and swag. This week has been a WEEK. Not necessarily bad, but not the best although it might be a top ten most memorable week for me.

On Monday morning, a beautiful tree caught my attention when I heard its yellow leaves rustling in the wind, and that night, snow powdered the mountain. I was reminded of a liturgy from a book called Liturgies for Wholeness that I really enjoy. It goes:

Oh God of mysteries and miracles,

How can it be

that with each passing day

You create unique wonders-

Handcrafted works of art-

Simply for the sake of beauty,

simply for the joy of delight?

How can it be

that You transcend understanding,

yet are seen and known 

in daffodils and dewdrops,

in hummingbirds and hibiscus trees,

in the silence of stars on a cold, clear night?

In the beginning, You were there.

In the formless and void, You were there.

All that existed was all that You are,

and when You spoke,

life and light began.

We are enchanted, Master and Maker,

by the artistry of the earth.

We are overcome, Author of Existence,

By its eagerness to sing.

As we stand before mountains,

We are comforted,

for You are our rock and our fortress. 

As we witness the wildness of storms,

we take heart,

for the wind becomes still at the sound of Your voice.

As we marvel at sunsets,

our souls are set free,

for the One who paints the sky has a purpose for our lives.

As we gave upon full moons,

we are humbled by grandeur,

for galaxies and gravity exist within Your domain.

As we witness the first blossoms after winter,

we are filled with hope,

for You have created a world bound for resurrection.

Your voice is all around us,

speaking through the things that live.

The mountains and rocks compose melodies,

The trees of the field clap their hands,

for even creation worships You.

Thank You for revealing Yourself

Through these small wonders.

Open our eyes even more to these daily miracles

so that we may join them in their song.

Amen.

In a program like JWI, it’s so easy to get caught in the hustle and bustle of school, work, and sibling relationships, but this week, the Lord reminded me to slow down, look up, and notice. Every single little thing is evidence of His love for us. And the seasons are evidence of His faithfulness. When my spiritual season of winter came down on me like Snow-mageddon, I thought there would be no end. I believed I would never feel the warmth of the sun or the Son ever again. But spring came, and all the things that God had planted in my life came to bloom, and I could see how God was close in every single hardship and battle. He didn’t give me “deliverance” from my struggles, but He gave me Himself, and HE is more than anything I could ever ask for. And as I sit here at the precipice of actual winter, He reminds me to notice Him in every little thing, from the snowfall and dancing of the leaves to the goodness of His Word and the beautiful people around me that reflect His light and love. Although the struggles are far from over, this is a beautiful place to be, and I will continue to sing His praises because He is more than worthy.

-Precious Destiny Duenas (Current Student)