Every where you look this time of year… midst the dying…there is beauty.
There’s something magical about autumn light.
There is more contrast. And intensity.
And then there is all that brilliant color that greets us…
It’s as if a bird had flown through the trees with a flaming torch, igniting fire upon fire.
Ever notice how individual leaves become red or golden embers illuminated by the sun?
And then there is the farmers’ harvest…brimming with color. Apples, pumpkins, squash, peppers, tomatoes.
Our world is awash with color and texture and light.
Even when it’s pitch black.
Last night I got up in the wee hours and peered out the window.
The clear cloudless sky contained stars too numerous to count.
They seemed unbelievably close…as if I could extend my arm and pluck a few from the heavens.
It’s in these moments where we observe our world with amazement…and our hearts swell with joy.
How amazing…how wonderful….is our God!
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
where morning dawns, where evening fades,
you call forth songs of joy.
Psalm 65:8 NIV
Are you in awe of autumn and her creator?
What of nature’s beauty makes your heart sing?
Joy Day!
Joy Day! It’s day we set aside a few moments to look back over our past week and stand in wonder of God’s grace in our lives.
It’s a time to count our blessings and give thanks in all things.
Won’t you join me in counting just seven?
You joy meter will rise. Guaranteed!
I’ll start…
Thank you God for…
- the fun and exercise of picking up acorns in a multitude of sizes and shapes and to think you cared to design them so intricately.
- the color dancing on the water each morning.
- your creation that continues to amaze me in new and fresh ways every single day.
- your faithfulness.
- knowing you are my hope when everything looks so hopeless.
- this place that opens my world and allows me to glorify you.
- thank you for the promise of Matthew 19:29. I’ll keep trusting.
Now it’s your turn!
List your ‘seven’ in the share your extraordinary thoughts section below.
You’ll be glad you did….I dare you!
Want even more joy? Take the Joy Dare here.
Thank you for stopping by today.
I appreciate you and your sweet comments make my day.
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Joyfully!
Diane
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Sharing at these Extraordinary spots:
We are THAT Family
1. I’m glad that God put little green jackets on the walnuts, making them hurt a little less when the tree throws them down.
2. Cooler temperatures in autumn as summer heat and humidity do not agree with me.
3. The soft purr of a kitten snuggling in your arms.
4. The unconditional love of our dogs.
5. The colored leaves of autumn.
6. The smells and tastes of autumn (pumpkin, apple cider, etc.)
7. Restorative sleep.
I love the thought of little green jackets for the walnuts. 😉 This morning I saw a squirrel running with one of those huge green orbs in between his teeth. I can’t imagine he could open his little mouth that far. LOL!
Thanks so much for sharing your ‘seven’ LuAnn! Your words of gratitude remind me of cuddling up in God’s soft blanket of goodness. 🙂
Hope your week overflows with sunshine and JOY!
[hugs]
Good Morning Diane… Psalm 65:8 sums up in a nut shell what I feel on a daily basis!
This week I am grateful to God:
l. For the healing of sinus infection/stomach virus that we all have been suffering from for over 3wks!This week I have felt great!!!
2. For a peace and calmness that has been with me all week!
3. For the awesome beauty of each season! Even though in Florida the changes are subtle 🙂
4. That My son received an A on his final this week in one of the hardest and most challenging of his courses thus far!!!! and is seeing answered prayer and God’s hand guiding Him through these courses…
5.For providing me my HOME!
6. For HIs continued provision in my life…
7. For my health… Mental, Emotional , Spiritual and Physical !!
8. Bonus….A wonderful steak and Salmon dinner with my Son Friday that was provided with coupons,and gift certicate for our belated Birthday Dinner!!! 🙂
Dear friend…if you feel that way about Psalm 65:8 I think you must be my kindred spirit. 😉
Yay God! for healing and peace and beauty and A’s and home sweet home and all your other amazing grace-filled provisions!! 🙂
Praying your week is filled with extraordinary God moments!
Well, I usually envy those who are immersed in fall color from my “green” home way down in Souh FL. But I am actually in northern MI and fully embracing how God paints the landscape here in Fall! So your post really resonates with me and I’m grateful to be here. 2. Picked up acorns yesterday and dried them in the oven to take back! 3. Ironed yellow, red and orange leaves between wax paper! 4. Ate Michigan tomatoes straight from our cousin’s garden, yum. 5. And fresh apples and pears with slices of cheddar, yum. Spoke to them of God’s grace and faithfulness to us in the midst of suffering. And they listened 🙂 6. Grateful for 3 days with our grand luvs. 7. Staying on a 100 year old farm with a babbling creek in the mountains north Asheville and sharing truth with an old high school friend who has lost his way.
Oh Suzi I feel your JOY!!! I’m so excited that you made it to Michigan and are enjoying the fruits and bounties of the this beauteous season and your mountain stop along the way. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your grateful heart with us!
Best wishes for traveling mercies and more JOY!
Thank you for this celebration of God for creating our Fall season. Fall has become my favorite of seasons – maybe because I’m in the Fall season of life? I am thankful for both, of course, and five more things I’m thanking God for are my season of faith-building, my trust in Him, my journey with Him through each day, the ways He puts me in awe, and the little times with family that mean so much.
I praise God for providing you with a constant flow of new (and awesome) projects and topics to share, your faith through it all, and your ever-present loving attitude toward others. You are so faithful, and He loves you so!
Kim, thank you for popping over and relishing in God’s goodness and the beauties of Fall with me! I so appreciate your heart of gratitude. Thank you for your amazing words of encouragement that are much needed balm. 😉
[hugs] and blessings sent your way!
Today, I am so thankful for: 1.That I was so fortunate that I could just walk across the road this morning and take a lovely stroll in world famous Longwood Gardens, where every season is a delight to the senses. 2.That the Autumn colors in our front and rear yard are really starting to show now, some with the advantage to be sunlit from behind, illuminating them with such a beautiful glow. 3.That we were lucky to have found a home positioned just right, to enjoy both beautiful sunrises and sunsets. 4.That we are fortunate that our PA. home is located near the borders of DE., NJ., and MD., affording us so many farmer’s markets and orchards to select from. 5. Same reason as number 4, allowing us a multitude of annual events and fairs…have been to four in the last two week-ends alone! 6. Perfect days for homemade soups and stews, to warm our hearts as well as our tummies. 7. For you, Diane, because you encourage us to stop and think about all the joy we really have in our lives, even if we are having a not so perfect day. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I would also like to add this little verse that I love which speaks of our lives as well as that of Autumn: ” Even the brightest of lives have their imperfections–things that upon close inspection we would want left out. Our vanity never ceases to crave the life lived where all flaws are hidden from view. But the most brilliant of all show everything to the one whose tears bend light and blend every deformity into a pageant worthy of a king.” Wishing everyone fun Autumn days!
Bobbi….visiting Longwood Gardens is a longtime dream of mine. I am soooo excited that you were able to enjoy the Fall beauty there. It must be amazing. 🙂
I love your heart of gratitude. My heart would sing, too, for those special delights you mentioned. And I love how you revel in it. 😉
Thank you for your encouraging words and poem which touched me to tears as I read it. Do you have a source? I think I might like to share it on the blog sometime this season if you’re okay with it? Maybe you can drop me an email.
May your week overflow with God’s goodness and joy!