Light and Loveliness

I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever;

With my mouth will I make known Thy faithfulness to all generations.

- Psalm 88:1

My son, Benjamin, is real outdoorsy. Nothing lights him up like camping/birding/foraging….

Seeing nature through his eyes is pretty magical. His delight in the quiet and intricate miracles so abundant in the flora and fauna of his local marshes and hiking trails is contagious.

His enthusiasm helps me see and appreciate what I would otherwise miss while out speedwalking with my earbuds, listening to a podcast, and thinking about my to-do list. What a gift to share his wonder with me!  I’m learning to Look. Slow down. Be amazed.

In our FWL Membership this month, we’ve focused on joy. During our weekly Zoom calls, we’ve shared little glimmers and testimonies of God’s goodness. I must say, it has been incredibly encouraging! Witnessing God’s love and faithfulness through their eyes has opened my own to the quiet and abundant evidence of Christ’s presence and Light in the ordinary details of my day. Being intentional about regularly sharing our blessings with one another has made me much more optimistic and grateful.

It's remarkable how much influence we have on one another’s outlook and mindset. This realization makes me more aware of the energy I spread to my family and neighbors through my habits, words, and perspectives. What does my life point others towards? Hope? Resurrection? Beauty? The Kingdom of Heaven?  Oh, I pray that is so!

Every day, I have to choose what to fixate on, and I am forever grateful for the people in my life who feed my mind and soul with light and loveliness!