Everyday Delights

I realized I had stopped taking photos lately. Was life getting too drab to capture Kodak moments or have I been taking the beauty of life for granted? I think the latter. I want to re-energize my heart and mind toward gratitude & wonder for life's experience and to refresh my eyes to renew a creative focus of wonder. The answer...today, I'm starting a year long journey... "everyday delights" photo journal. Every day I will rejoice with praise as I document the beauty of creation, relationships, Truth and experience.

I brought my camera along today as I begin this new journey. It's only 4:00pm and I already can't decide which one photo I will choose. Hmmm...maybe I can do 2 or 3 a day. God is too grand and awesome to be limited to one delight a day!

My first entry is the delightful oasis, Caribou Coffee. It's just not about the coffee but the soft leather chair, the 'people watching' and the escape from the daily tasks. Thank You Lord for times of rest! "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." Ps. 46:10

Some churches/cathedrals have beauty and honor to God pressed into every nook and cranny. I love stained glass, statues, vaulted architecture. I am reminded of the faith, gifts and passion for God that was released into the craftsmanship. May God be glorified throughout the earth! "I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever." Ps. 86:12.

The cranny I found today was a carving in the surrounds of the front entrance to SS Peter and Paul in Naperville. I attended a memorial service at the ministry center of the church and captured a number of photos outside. Within the service, I delighted in the humble, gracious, beautiful words from the deacon who was also the son of the deceased. Beautiful Scriptures, faith encouraged, brothers and sisters in Christ, the beautiful statue of Mary holding baby Jesus...DELIGHT! Thank You Jesus that we have a place in Your Kingdom for eternity. "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!"" Rev 21:1-5

So why this photo? Why is this delightful to me? I love that the Holy Spirit dwells within His children and pours His power and presence into our hearts and minds and that we get the awesome privilege of pouring that right back out into His Kingdom. That is the fruit of the Spirit. Thank You Jesus that You did not leave us as orphans. "Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty." Zech. 4:6 and "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23

Precious Peeps...everyday they delight!! Isn't Kerrie's color scheme brilliant!