"One day at a time--this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering."

Ida Scott Taylor


Friday, September 20, 2013

With Color Comes Changes



It's end of summer, and fall will begin
in just a few days.
On a recent walk,
 I started off with the intention
of looking for ways of seeing 
how God's beautiful nature was changing.
The colors were endless! 
Here is a collage of a few photos I captured:



Just like in nature, I have to remind myself 
to be intentional 
about watching for beauty and blessings
when change is upon me.
It's easy to be comfortable and want to stay 
right where you are, 
when you are at peace in that place.

Sometimes we stay because we love it there.
And sometimes we may stay 
in that place 
because we have settled out of fear. 
A place where
 there are no new challenges
 we must face.
But either way of running from change
 leads to us missing out on
all of the beauty God has planned
 for our lives and our future.

Change brings newness and
 just like in nature and it's seasons,
we may have to wait for the beauty to show itself sometimes, 
by waiting through some drought 
or not so sunny of times in our lives first. 
But God's plans for me and you ahead, 
are so worth 
the wait and time that it takes for change.



“There is no panic in Heaven! 
God has no problems, only plans.”
~Corrie ten Boom


In my own life right now,
I can see where there are a few areas I have settled in.
Mostly because of being afraid
 of stepping right or left in fear I will 
make the wrong move. 
Also trying to give myself some grace
after having a major surgery 9 months ago.
Sometimes for change to take place there 
has to  also be a time of rest so we 
can replenish for the great plans to come.

How about you?  
Have you been in this place of settling or
 afraid of change before?

Wishing you my friends, 
 a Color filled week.
Hugs,


1000 Gifts Thanksgiving List continued:

745. Our wonderful grandchildren
746. Our granddaughter Ella, mailing me a bracelet she made for me! Beautiful!
747. Our  grandson Ezra, asking Jesus to live in his heart.
748. A great weekend spent with our family in Michigan and helping them move.
749. The freedoms we have living in America
750. The wonderful parents our daughters and son-in-laws are.



11 comments:

Nancy said...

I was so excited to see your blog come up on my sidebar...I miss you and your encouraging words....

I am sorry that this last year has a hard one but it seems from your words that God is moving you out into new adventures.....and yes, I have felt some of the same things this past year and I too feel God is leading me out of my comfort zone and into new areas.....so we can encourage each other as these new phases come......

This is a beautiful picture of you and Scott with your grandchildren....I love all the smiles.....

Take care and let's keep in touch....

Hugs,
Nancy

Mary said...

Hi honey, wise words, I know for certain I don't pursue my dream out of fear, sometimes it's laziness, but even then fear or a long held belief about myself really lies behind that too!

Weeding through those these days...

Love seeing a post from you...still desiring to sit with you, share cups of coffee and our hearts!

xoxo

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

Challenges, changes and inner rhythms, stuff life gets lived amongst. It's not always easy to see where the next step is that's for sure! Great to catch up with you here in blog land and to see all your smiling faces.

Barbara said...

LeeAnn, this was exactly what I needed to read today. I'm so glad you popped over to mine because I'm very behind on my blog reading (and everything else) and would have missed this. Thank you so much for putting everything into perspective for me again. I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Anonymous said...

When I read your blog Lee Ann I realize how much I miss you..Love your encouraging words and photos. Lets get together soon!! Love, Kim Anderson

Barbara said...

I shared this on Facebook, by the way!

Tricia said...

What beautiful photos. I've never managed to find bittersweet growing in the wild...wish I would since it's so pretty. I have to say, that your post really speaks to me today. I feel like I've been living in a place where I fear change for a long while. Hope God gives you the strength to get through the changes you're looking to make in your life. xo

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

I always relate to what your write, thanks for sharing. Oh I am in change, not that I wanted it, but it is truly by God's hand. May I embrace it and not shrink back from fear.
Embrace yours also!

Jennifer Richardson said...

I love how you look and listen
and notice and hear and let the Spirit speak through all the nooks and crannies of every song
and you adjust and tweak and make choices and keep traveling forward
and I love your 1000 watt smile
and the way you love with your whole heart and, gosh, you are just one gorgeous woman, Lee Ann:)
-Jennifer

Chris Graham said...

LeeAnn,
Your post is absolutely beautiful!!! The challenges we face can only be handled with God's grace and mercy.
He is teaching me to trust Him with all my heart- still learning and will be a work in progress all the days of my life.
I have missed you- I have been silent for a long time.
Take care dear lady.
Chris

Carolynn Anctil said...

There have been times when I've settled in, like a hen in her roosting box. Today, I think I can say that I'm here because I'm enjoying the gifts that God has granted me and I'm reveling in those. I'm also unsure, not so much fearful, of the next step. So, I mull and I plan and I take what small steps I can that will, hopefully, keep moving me forward.

Thank you for visiting my place and leaving such a lovely note!

Blessings,
Carolynn