Have you ever had one of those days where you need to stop fretting and remind yourself of all the blessings you have? Or maybe it’s been more like a week, a season, or a year that has drawn you down into thoughts of how difficult your life is or how broken the world has become.

When I realize I’m so focused on what is causing me stress, I like to take a walk and snap pictures of all the beauty around me. I took the picture above and I’ll share some more, but first, one of my favorite scripture reminders.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I like this translation which tells me to fix my thoughts on these things. Sometimes it takes effort, sometimes my thoughts want to wander back to what’s going wrong, or what’s filling me with anxiety.

Mathew 6:28 tells us to consider the lilies of the field. Even though they are here but a moment, He makes them beautiful. And if God creates such fleeting beauty in the grass of the field, isn’t that a way of revealing His care for us, His children, will be even greater?

When I doubt my creative writing, I look at the creativity of God all around me. He didn’t create just one flower, or one bird, or one type of anything. There is variation, creativity, imagination, thoughtfulness, and beauty.

Thinking about this topic brought to mind a song I had downloaded years ago. It took me a minute to remember the name of it, but after some searching, I found it. I used to dance to this song or cool down with it after exercising at my brief gym season. It is the perfect song to listen to on a walk in nature. Please give it a listen and allow the Holy Spirit to transport you. The Magic Hour by Andrew Peterson.

As promised, here are a few of my favorite photos.

What lovely things can you find in your neighborhood? I encourage you to find what God has hidden in plain sight just waiting for you to switch your thoughts from worry to worship.

Grace & Peace,

Sandy

Images created in Canva. All photos are original.