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Simple Pleasure - Looking Up

I already knew what my simple pleasure was going to be this week.  What I didn't know was that this morning at Bible study, I would find the words to accompany the photos that I've been storing up for a while now.

I'm not exactly sure why I started noticing the sunsets and the clouds in the sky to the extent that I do, but I do remember when.  Back in the fall, on my drive home I spent the majority of my commute on a long, straight 55 mph road with soybean and cotton fields on both sides and pine trees off on the distance.  At 5 o'clock, the sun was reaching the tops of the pine trees on its descent into nighttime and it yielded the most spectacular colors and displays.  It became something I looked forward to every afternoon.

Now, even though I don't have the commute, I still have the sunset...and the morning sun and the afternoon sun.  And those beautiful clouds and hues.

This morning, Beth Moore was discussing one of David's psalms (Psalm 19) as it hailed God's revelation through nature.
 1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
   the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
   night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
   no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
   their words to the ends of the world.
She discussed "the paradox of inaudible noise."  Through which, though no words are spoken, the sun comes up in the morning and screams out the praises of the Creator.  It shines a light on this world that illuminates the interconnectedness of every single thing on this planet that is so far beyond our comprehension.

Romans 1:20 says this:
20 For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.  (New Living Translation)
Today, the majesty of God's most brilliant artwork - that changes every single morning, noon, and night in a new and delightful way - is my simple pleasure.



 


This is a midday sun, trying to peek out from a blanket of clouds...


...which made way for this...a beautiful blue clearing.  I love that.


One of these days, I wholeheartedly intend to capture a sunrise.  We'll see...

In the meantime, I will continue to marvel at these sights and plead with my kids to look out the window/up at the sky/on the horizon.  You don't have to look far for beauty.  It is most certainly all around us.

My assignment for you is to take the time to notice it...right now, tonight, tomorrow morning.  Just sometime.  Extra credit if you lie on your back in the grass and look for cloud shapes.  There are no two ways around it...God's artwork is amazing (and - bonus - completely free). 

Linking up today with Dayle for her Simple Pleasures Party.  I triple dog dare you to go read some more.

11 comments:

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Oh I have been enjoying the sky and thinking it is because I am getting older. I love watching the sky and usually take my 5 year old by my side to look up! His wonders are so awesome. No matter what my day holds or held, I can still see His handiwork.
Now I like the challenge...to go lay on my back and look up...I think we will do that tomorrow and watch the clouds move!
Great simple pleasures

Sharon said...

Jennie - This was so inspirational! I just flew into Chicago today for a few days of family business - and I've just got to tell you. When I took off this morning into that big blue sky - it took my breath away! I felt like I was rushing up closer to God...

He is so amazing, and He gives us such good gifts.

I'm glad that one of His gifts is to give us the ability to enjoy the simple things. I think that is a form of worship, don't you?

GOD BLESS!

Barbara Neubeck said...

Hi Jenny,
You're right about sunsets being special.
The sky is facinating to watch.
The photos you have taken are just beautiful.
God Bless
Barb from Australia

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

Beautiful pictures, I love the sun rises and sun sets. I get up every morning at 6 even though I am finally retired and don't have to, but the early morning hours setting in the swing drinking coffe is my favorite time of day. Unless it's cold, hot or rainy then I set by my window and watch them.
Thank you for stopping by my blog.
Molly

Mave said...

Those photos are lovely, and thank you for encouraging me to look up.

Trish said...

Your photos are beautiful-I love to watch the sky too!
It's a never-ending fascination :-)
Every day it's different and equally wonderful-praise the Lord Who handiwork it is!!
blessings..Trish

Canadagirl said...

I absolutely LOVE love love looking at sunsets and sunrises. I love how each one is so unique. It is almost like the Lord gets a new canvas to draw a new sunset or sunrise for that time. He is the most AMAZING artist ever! [o=

thank you for sharing such a BEA U TI FUL simple pleasure.

Blessings and ((HUGS))!
-Mary

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

No matter how many sunrises and sunsets I see, I'm always awestruck by their beauty every single time. God's handiwork. Nothing compares.

Debbie said...

This is wonderful, Jennie. Here's a confession, it wasn't until I got a digital camera that I actually started finding awe in the beauty of nature. Maybe it was the ability to capture it that made me take closer notice. I chased a beautiful sky all the way home from Savannah yesterday. (It's very hard to take a picture from the passenger seat of a car speeding away down I-16, btw.)

Ahem. Any news?

Ms.Daisy said...

Jennie,
I do take notice of the sky and sunsets (no sunrises lately!)but usually it is on the fly...I do need to slow down and really LOOK! Thanks for the reminder and a great simple pleasure,too!

~Jean

elizabeth said...

I'm a sky watcher too! My current favorite thing is to catch it at "bluehour" and try to get a good photo.
Thanks so much for your kind comment on my simple pleasures post about lavender!

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