Captivated
A mini-retreat in the Smoky Mountains,
Captured beauty,
Eye-catching colors and hidden delights,
All led to a renewed love for my Heavenly Father.
Captivated.
In our head down, nose in phone world, God gently lifts our chin to eye level and looks deeply into the essence of our souls. He sees what we do not and loves every inch of it. In one soul-searching glance, God determines our needs, wants and dreams. God carries this picture with Him and at the times when we seek a thirst quenching heart work, He leads us to the most amazing beauty. Captivated by a love we crave daily, we find this love when we are desperate.
A walk in the woods renews my soul. Two weekends ago, I traveled the road less traveled in the Smoky Mountains and found God on the way. The worn, dirt paths, roaring creeks, hidden treasures of mushrooms and flowers and quiet stillness opened up my soul to a deep love that sometimes remains hidden in ordinary life. Every corner and turn unveiled hidden surprises that I quickly captured with my camera. I was captivated.
My meeting with God in the mountains was not by chance. The time away opened the door for God to show up in every path, each detail and unexpected beauty. God was and is a God who craves time with us. What we call a surprise, God programmed for us. The places we view as stunning, God reveals as a new perspective for us to see with eyes and heart wide open. When we fail to see beauty, God leads us to where we can remove the stressors and lean on Him. God captivates us by the hidden details he leaves behind on the path of our lives and in the deepest recesses of our hearts.
“God’s kingdom is like a treasure hidden in a field for years and then accidentally found by a trespasser. The finder is ecstatic—what a find!—and proceeds to sell everything he owns to raise money and buy that field. Matthew 13:44 MSG
I did not buy the mountains after discovering God’s beauty, but a renewed sense of purpose infused my soul. A deep sense of God’s love entwined my heart with His.
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May God captivate you this week with hidden surprises when you least expect it.
Captivated and loved deeply,
Linking with my friend Lisha @GiveMeGrace
