ARE FOGGY DAYS SURROUNDING YOU?

The fog was thick. I walked farther hoping it would lift and provide the view I'd come for. Unfortunately, it grew thicker with each step. I stopped and decided to make the best of the moment. I knew that although the conditions weren't ideal, there was still beauty in it. I may have to look a little harder, focus on something other than easy, because simple was hidden.

I lifted my phone to  snap a picture of the fog bank over the ocean, when a seagull flew right towards me. Startled, I jumped back, regaining composure just in time to get the bird in flight, close enough not to be blurred by the fog.

I scanned the pier. A lone boy fishing, skateboard laid aside. A row of fishing poles perfectly lied up. Telescopes empty...unusable in the present conditions. 

Click. Click. Click.  

All beautiful. All right in front of me...close enough to see when I actually decided to focus on it; when I no longer tried to scan the distant blurred ocean landscape.

Life can often be like this foggy day. You may always be focusing too intently on the blurred future, missing the very things Jesus is placing right in front of you at the moment.

Are you forgetting to slow down, to stop, to look around? Where you're at right now may not be easy. What you're going through can seem dreary and dim. But it's right where the Lord has you. This very second you can ask Him to show you what He wants you to see. 

Things may not be ideal, but the Lord's beauty can still be found in the foggy days of life. Ask Him to reveal truth to you. Ask for His joy, peace, comfort and direction. He will show you the way. The beautiful things right here...right now...slow down. Focus on the Lord for a minute. He's close enough not to be blurred by life's fog. Stay in the moment as He gently reminds you...

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."~ 2 Corinthians 12:9

"This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it."~Psalm 118:24

Turn Off Your Cruise Control

I often dream of going to far off places. Visiting other countries, seeing different cultures, sites and people, breaking free of my normal life. Adventure and change has always held an appeal to me.

Taking small road trips in the meantime to satisfy my need to explore. Stopping at abandoned homes to take rustic pictures, imagining who lived there, what happened in their lives that made them leave. Trying to look at things in a different way, finding beauty and joy in the unexpected.


However, in my everyday life, I find change very difficult. I get stuck in my routines, going to work, pick up the kids, make dinner, clean up, and then getting everything ready for the next day and start all over again.

Why do we go on auto pilot? Saving up excitement and joy only for vacations. You need to turn off the cruise control. Open your eyes to what is going on around you. The adventure you are seeking can be the lonely neighbor who's lost a loved one and needs some company. A friend who asks for help. The elderly person struggling to unload their groceries, or cheering up a co-worker with a smile, and encouraging words.

It may not sound like the adventure you were hoping for, but there is absolutely nothing more satisfying than giving of yourself...living a Christ like life. He has shown us the true way to happiness...showing love to others by giving of yourself. Take a look around you this week and see if you can find an adventure waiting especially for you! Turn off your cruise control & auto pilot...step into the excitement all around you. Pray that God will open your eyes to your true purpose and remove the blinders! Only then will you find true peace, happiness and joy that may be missing from your life.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7