“Never lose an opportunity for seeing anything that is beautiful;
For beauty is God’s handwriting — a wayside sacrament.
Welcome it in every fair face, in every fair sky, in every fair flower,
And thank God for it as a cup of His blessing.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Have you taken time to go for a walk?
Not the kind where you try to see how quickly you can get the miles in.
But, the kind where you try to see how much beauty you can take in.
I dare you to play “I Spy” with your walking partner.
I think Emerson had it right.
Beauty is God’s handwriting.
Just look at this exquisite daylily from my garden.
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Catch up on all that’s Extraordinary…
this week at An Extraordinary Day:
Here’s a rundown of this week’s posts…
- Hope :: The Week at a Glance 8/10
- Alert Expectancy :: Joy Day!
- Clamorous Coastal DIY
- Coastal Decor in Small Spaces
It was another Extraordinary Week on the blog!
Our Saturday’s wrap up of the week included a few thoughts on hope. Something we all need in big doses. Joy Day! was brief because the scripture I shared was so amazing I really didn’t have much to say. Yeah…just a few words from me…that was a surprise! The week then took a coastal twist with some large and small shells. There’ll be more beachiness on the blog next week…I’m loving my coastal series…hope you are too.
Humbled and blessed.
This week I was pleasantly surprised to discover the blog was in a round-up of features here:
Green Willow Pond ~ The Taylor House ~ Le Creme de la Crumb
and as the featured blogger at The Intentional Blogger‘s Friday Meet & Greet
Please take a minute to stop by these extraordinary blogs for even more inspiration.
On a Personal Note
The week began with our four friends from this area coming over for Sunday brunch. It was so good hanging out together. I love it when we enjoy a shared meal. So much yumminess!! It was the last hurrah before we are consumed with boxes. Monday, I set a new schedule for my week to prevent chaos and started packing. And I completely wore myself out. I limped along the rest of the week. Seriously….what is this paralysis of packing that I am suffering from? The days fall off the calendar….but I cannot move any faster. Help! I need your prayers. I can be a whirling dervish….my husband says. Instead, it’s my head that is spinning. Arrrrrgh!!! An anticipated reply from my appeal to AdSense hit my inbox, too. My appeal was denied. I seriously have no idea what I did to warrant having my account with them disabled. Could it be a spammer was irritated with me because I added the check box to the comments? I wonder. Regardless…I’ll miss the small income I received and now need to figure out a more lucrative advertising plan. The good news is that the week did have two more bright spots in it. My neighbor whose flowers I watered….surprised me by stuffing an envelope with a thank you and a pretty ‘greenback’ under my front door. Our good friends from Michigan popped by (with fresh-picked blueberries!!!!!!) on their way to Virginia this week and we crammed dinner, a sleepover, breakfast, and lots and lots of talking, in about 10 hours. It was all good. And because you’re dying to know….we’re still looking for work. And please tell me why no one has the courtesy to say they have received your resume and cover letter??? And why after others do phone interviews, do they not let you know they loved you or that you’re dirt, or even respond to follow-up e-mails? Really. Why? In exactly two weeks we say goodbye to this quaint town and sweet house and hello to who-knows-where. Above all….God is good. Every day. All the time. I believe we are faithfully following and trusting. But, oh I do wish he would show us his plan. [sigh] I guess that’s why we need faith. [wink]
So now that I’ve shared my week…please fill me in with what’s been happening with you.
At the very least…tell me about some beauty that you discovered across your path this week.
Wishing you an Extraordinary weekend!
Diane
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How many times have you been to the beach or ballgame or just had some memory-making family fun and gotten a great snapshot? But, once it’s downloaded, it just ends up on your computer, forgotten. We all do it! Canvas People is an affiliate of mine. Let me suggest that you take advantage of their terrific SALE and have a nice canvas art print made to enjoy that special moment everyday, just not when you happen across that cherry photo among your kajillion image files. Click on the image link below for all the details. And thanks!!
I think I need to go for a walk! Sorry about your Adsense. May God provide in ways you would dare dream of!
Haha!! Yes you do Barbie!! Hope you discover refreshment in God’s marvelous handiwork. 🙂
Thanks for you blessing…
Thinking of you my friend. [hugs]
Pretty, pretty, pretty! And how true the quote.
I don’t know about you–but I tend to avoid when I wanna do denial and pretend things aren’t happening even when I know they are–delay, delay, delay. Like–oh, ringing to solidify times for surgery? Nope–not done. BUT!! I have gone on adventures! And I had to laugh–cuz when we were at the pond I was doing the “I spy with my little beady eye…..” with Himself who took it all quite gleefully. The pond is a win-win spot…..he fishes, I wander and try not to fall in. LOL
So it’s been back roads, ponds and the river….and me trying to be mobile and see what I can see cuz the season is changing and some of the leaves are trying to turn. And they’ve all been beautiful, nourishing adventures. (AND I’ll note that I didn’t fall in the water(s) as I wandered……ha!)
Yes–I’ll take care of the details on Monday……..maybe……….*laughing*
Thanks for the sweet words, Mel.
I love that you played “I spy”!!!!!! And with a willing partner too!
Glad there weren’t any incidents. [wink]
Ah…Monday…I’m pretty certain, exact times aren’t certain until ‘just before’ anyway. 😉
In the meantime….enjoy all your adventures…. I know you will. 🙂
[[[[hugs]]]]
Love that quote and gorgeous daylily – one of my favorite colors. I will be praying for you and your husband regarding your move and jobs. Your faith and encouragement through your trials are such a testimony. I just read this from “The Message”. “But God’s not finished. He’s waiting around to be gracious to you. He’s gathering strength to show mercy to you. God takes the time to do everything right. Everything. Those who wait around for Him are the lucky ones”. (Isaiah 30:18). Hope you have a great weekend!
Mary Lise….what a blessing to read those words for The Message. 🙂
Thank you soooo much!!
[hugs]
~Diane
It is a true faith that when weeping can talk to God–honestly. I only have God who really understands me now. So I am learning as God puts songs of hymns on my heart I sing to Him. I read aloud Gods Word and today in the midst of turmoil I said, oh God these are your words. will You talk to me? He did. I get sad for it seems everyone is either rich and unhappy or poor and struggling. Or gravely ill or hurt physically. So it is hard to focus on the beauty. I cried. I woke up confused. I picture scenarios based on the old days of me so of course that does not happen. So this post is good to see bright patches to catch my eye. I can’t be a part? I can’t. But I have no $ but I had spray paint so for now I spray painted a lumbar cushion for a patio chair and it will do!! My hubby got me Cheerios and bananas. He sprayed a little table and other rusting items. We will rearrange for a new look tonight. I used a pot I had and cut off succulents in my soil mixed with my Santa Barbara Sand. It will grow and I even added a rock from the beach. It will cover my now naked bushy plant that got over pruned. It will look fresh and new.
I daily pray for answers and a job and a spot to call home. Daily. My mom has to be able to sit down and get up alone, get out of bed alone this week for Kaiser stops pay and her physical therapy stops. She’s close but not quite there. Pray she will heal. And be ready to go back home in a week. I still have not restarted my PT and I pray it is soon. Pray neurology ge ts covered since my brain is covered it makes no sense to any of us that does not include neurology which I pay for privately this past year Im praying not to become frustrated.
And again to end on a happy note I have lots of butterflies today!!!
Gwen….you have a beautiful and inspiring faith. Singing God’s praises….what a beautiful way to be in his presence….and he spoke to you when you needed it. I love how he loves his own. You are such a treasure to him.
My heart hurts for you as memory and reality don’t match. I cannot imagine the challenge. But, I will continue to trust with you for renewal and restoration of what you have lost.
How fun to paint your cushion and table and do a beach garden and create a fresh new look. I hope it is the beautiful bright spot to cheer you.
You mom continues to be in our prayers….God is able to heal so she can go home. I’m sure she can hardly wait.
Blessed you to have butterflies!!! I’ve been seeing lots of yellow swallowtails lately. I love how they dance in the air.
May your weekend be extraordinary!
[hugs]
~Diane
I have been praying for you daily and hope God shows us your new journey soon! I cannot imagine the anxiety you feel, but yet, you show much grace during such a difficult time. I don’t know anything about adsense, but wish I did so I might be able to help. I love all of your beach craftiness and it is keeping me inspired for my future home, like you, wherever that may be. I’m believing it is all in God’s hands and in his time and I’m learning patience with your help ~ can’t thank you enough or even express properly how you have touched my life ~ Judi
Oh sweet Judi! I just want to give you a big hug! You words are so kind….thank you! 🙂
It is all in God’s hands. I’m just believing we will all be better for the trust walk….though it is more challenging than either of us wish. But, God is always good and he really does work everything out for our good and his glory. Often we hear people say similar words….but as I’ve been traveling a rocky road…I’ve come to realize that those words are truth about our trustworthy God and they help me keep me from looking inward too much. 😉
Blessings my friend!
~Diane
Love that quote– re beauty is God’s handwriting….. source book or writing? Have seen it before but never the source writing disclosed!
I hear you, Carl! So many quotes, etc., are not accompanied with a source today. It’s sad. Glad you enjoyed the quote.