I sat watching yet another beautiful fall sunset over the lake where I recently have moved. If you know me, I am always chasing the sun. I love watching the sun rise but I find deep soulful moments watching the sunset at night. So this night I caught a few great shots on my cell phone for me to attempt to capture that moment. I truly love sunsets. The beauty of God’s creation captivates me. I love how every sunset is different yet it remains a sunset. No matter where you are in the world you know the sun will rise and set. We all share the same sunsets.
I have always seen the beauty and majesty of God in nature, in the skies above. When I want to get lost in His goodness I submerge myself in nature. I walk in the woods, sit by the lake, watch the skies, or meditate on the wind blowing the trees. It doesn’t take long and my heart is overwhelmed and tears of thanksgiving fill my eyes. I am then in awe.
My life has been so blessed. I’ve endured loss, pain that hurt so deep I could not breathe without His Word upon my lips, joy unspeakable, happiness, longing, need and lack, harsh words, disappointment, love and laughter. But today as I set getting lost in the goodness of God through the beauty of His glorious sunset I am reminded that as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow, He is with me.
Philippians 4: 11-13
“11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
I have learned to be content in my journey whether on a mountaintop or in a valley low. I have been chosen by God to live this life. I am blessed to get lost in one more sunset. To have found beauty of contentment has set me free in ways I could have never imaged sisters.
I know life can be hard because we are all walking out our own situations but we can find beauty in the midst of it. Even when our hearts long for this cup to pass we can find contentment. Just keep going, keep putting one foot in front of the other, press on, pass through and overcome. Stop wishing away our natural beauty, our days, the smallness of our children, the hardness of walking through a situation with a friend, the difficulty of marriage, motherhood and career because it all shapes us. It is all part of our journey. It is up to us to make us bitter or better. So take this life and live. Get lost in the sunsets, loose track of your phone because your busy making memories. Take the hard words and reflect on them towards positive change. Take your pain and let beauty rise from its ashes.
Live your best life by being content and be your best self in the midst of every situation. In His timing everything changes but be in the moment and know that as sure as the sun will rise tomorrow He is with you and you can walk out the path laid before.
Heart After His,
Sheila Millinder