One morning last week I was out for a run. It was a gorgeous day but very muggy. I was struggling on the hills and really hoping for some cool breeze or a light mist. None of those were happening but I just kept trucking along.
Often times I have weak moments at some point. Moments that I tell myself this was a terrible idea or moments when I just want to stop and walk the rest of the way home.
But just like in life as a mother or a wife or a friend we all have those moments. Moments where we think it would be easier to quit. Moments when we just don’t feel like we’re making any progress. Moments of feeling defeated.
We don’t just stay there in those moments though. We push ahead. We push past all the crappy thoughts in our brain. We push past all the lies of defeat. And we move on
That what I do when I’m running. There’s rarely a time when I run that I haven’t wanted to quit but I don’t listen to the garbage in my brain. I just put one foot in front of another and move on.
As I was running last week and praying (which usually goes hand in hand for me) I gazed up and the sunlight was streaming through the trees in such a brilliant way that it seemed to sparkle and almost take my breath. I had to stop. I had to have a picture. There’s no way I could let that beauty pass me by.
So I stopped for a few moments and snapped a few pictures of the brilliancy and wonder.
Do you know what happened immediately afterwards? The trees started raining down on me. They just let loose of the rain they had collected the night before. And I ran as they sprinkled lightly over my sweaty flesh and provided the cool down I craved.
It was, as if, because I paused and took in the moment and really breathed it in and appreciated. Then and only then did God let loose the blessing from above, the pure goodness of his love.
Too often I forget to do this in life.
Chaos, temper tantrums and petty arguments cloud my vision. And I forget to just pause and take in the beauty beyond the noise. Have you ever thought about what it might be like behind the chaos if you were just to pause and reel it in?
Suddenly I’m lost within your beauty. Caught up in the wonder of your touch. Here in this moment I surrender to your love. You’re everywhere I go if I just stop and breathe it in.
I’m so glad I paused and enjoyed the beauty of that moment or I wouldn’t have seen what was on the other side.
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living. life. paused.
Melanie
Linked to: Wednesday’s Prayer Girls and Link Up Party, Coffee for Your Heart
I have been stressed today and Melanie I cannot tell you how much your post helped me put things in perspective – see that what was causing the stress was not important – that I just needed to pause….
Thank you dear
You’re welcome. So glad I could encourage you through a difficult day. I love that you stop by and let me know your thoughts on a regular basis. ((Hugs Shashi!))
Beautiful Melanie!! This brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for a great read❤️
Aww….really. Thanks. And thanks so much for taking the time to let me know you read here. I really appreciate the support!
Another beautiful, reflective post Melanie. It’s so easy with hectic schedules and never ending to-do lists to forget to pause. To actually be quiet. Often times I wonder why I’m not hearing from God… and then I realize it’s because I’ve created a cloud of business around me that doesn’t allow Him in. Thanks for this really important reminder!!!
I totally agree Chris! I’m just trying to pause life momentarily and really breathe in the goodness all around me. When I do I’m never disappointed.
Thanks so much for always taking the time to read what I write. It truly means so much!
Thank you for such a beautiful post. Reading things like this can always turn a bad day around!
Thanks for reading Danielle. I appreciate you!
Great post! I am also trying to stop and reflect on God’s blessings more often.
Awesome. And there’s never a moment of regret when we do that. Thanks for being here Nikki!
I am so grateful to have stopped here this morning! I loved your photo. And to be reminded to stop and take in the beauty & goodness of our God was such a blessing. For it is then that He rains down on us exactly what we need to keep on going. Powerful encouragement here! Have a great Wed.!
I love it when you said, “Chaos, temper tantrums and petty arguments cloud my vision. And I forget to just pause and take in the beauty beyond the noise.” Only when we take our eyes off our circumstances can we find peace.
Thanks Lisa. So glad you stopped by. I hope you’ll be back!
Thanks for this beautiful post! I am often marveling at sunrises, sunsets and God’s beauty. In fact, I’m going to link up a post about the beauty and everyday-ness of dawn. Blessings!
So much truth here!
How beautiful that the pausing and slowing and stopping are what gives us the strength to RUN!
May God fill you to the brim with rest in Him today! Like a deep breath of freedom.
I have had a cloud over my heart for about 4 days now. I have turned to His Word and uplifting words of women that I follow online. Slowly the cloud has started to lift. I am glad I click over from Holley’s link up to here. The beauty in your words is inspiring. He down rain down on us when we ask. Glorious!
I saw the trees let down loads of droplets of water this morning too (from last night’s rain). You took some beautiful pictures. Awesome!!
Thanks Judith. So glad you stopped by. 🙂