Recently, I visited a friend in the mountains I used to call home. It is still a piece of heaven on earth to me, especially where she lives. I can breathe easier up there, sleep more soundly, and spend time adoring so many things our awesome God created for us to enjoy.
After an early morning in my cabin and getting the kids taken care of, I was able to slip out for a rare all-by-myself walk. I was breathless as I watched the mist rising off the lake. The world was drenched from the previous night’s downpour, and felt so clean and alive. I was so happy, I was buzzing right along with the hummingbirds. Ok, so maybe it was the coffee, but I was pretty dang happy to be in this place.
As I walked down the hill, I was struck by the sight of the grass glittering in the sun. Millions of drops of water were lit up by the halo of the sun peeking over the hillside. Tears filled my eyes as I gave thanks for the glory of God that was present in each orb of water. Then my amazing Lord whispered into my heart, “That same glory is in every tear in your eyes.” Oh wow.
It has been said by many that the glory of God is impossible to define. But attempts include awesome goodness and righteous character, splendor, brightness, excellence, manifestation of His Love, infinite beauty and greatness. Amazing words, amazing gifts from perfection himself. Why then, is it so hard to accept; believe? He even whispered it into my ear, yet I get hung up, especially on the beauty part. How I long to claim these gifts fully, without the twinges of doubt creeping in.
I have a dream of standing on a mountaintop, arms up above my head stretched out wide. My head is thrown back, and I am soaking in the fullness of the glory that is already placed in me. Rejoicing, praising, claiming. I can picture it; perhaps I need to climb a mountain and just choose to accept the infinite gifts I have already been given.
In His Glory,
Erika
Restoration You 
Erika,
What a beautiful little essay! I felt joy at what you described about the sunlight reflecting off the water drops on grass. I’m always glad when I hear (or read) what others say about having trouble remembering to live in continual amazement and gratitude for all the simple abundance around us. It’s easier to remember to be grateful when we think of something drastic such as the pain of mothers in Somalia who witness their children starving, or to hear of someone who has a terminal illness. Thank you for the beautiful reminder to strive to keep my mental dial or focus tuned in to awareness of God’s station as much as I can! Maybe I need a little timer to go off each hour.
I have an alarm set on my cell phone that chimes each morning at 5:30 with happy, bouncy music, and reminds me with the message “be still and know that I am God.” Then at 5:40 comes the message ” listen to the still small voice within.” Good way to start the day!. Gee, at this moment I’m celebrating the fact that I figured out how to set the gadget!
Love you lots,
Momma Manga
And I fugured how to live a reply!! Yea!! Maybe they’ll let me have access to the computers at work soon!
Mom