Standing In The Middle Of Beautiful

STANDING IN THE MIDDLE OF BEAUTIFUL.

Psalm 118:24

Tears filled her eyes as she spoke.

Almost 30 of us, all staying under the same roof.

One week together.
Oak Island.
Family.

She spoke about her children all being together.
She spoke of how much it meant to her that we had continued this tradition all these years.
She first came when my husband was a baby, followed by siblings, then their children and now great grandchildren.

As I looked around the room, tears filled everyone’s eyes, including my own.

What we have is special.
My mother in law recognized it and she was grateful.

This year my children and grandchildren all came down. We want to continue this tradition with my in laws, and this year tears filled my eyes once again.
As my grandson ran to hug me when we finally arrived.
As my granddaughter snuck into my room in the early morning hours to sleep with me.
As I watched my grown children laugh together and love on each other.
As I watched my grandchildren run in the sunshine and sand and dip their tiny toes in the surf.

Our lives had become so busy that even living in the same town, time spent together like this was very rare.

And this year the tears spilled down my own cheeks as I waved goodbye to them all and turned to an empty house without them.
Such a beautiful house on the ocean and yet, in this moment it was only a building. What made that building so beautiful were the people who filled it.

I could picture them all there, in the now empty rooms. The time went by too fast. I realized then that I wouldn’t mind being back in the middle of snow and ice and freezing temperatures, because I would be with the people who made everything beautiful. My family.

Every moment of every day can be beautiful if we realize what God has blessed us with.
Too often we think that if we could just go on that vacation or if we had a bigger house or new furnishings, then we would be happy. We seek our joy in things.

The grass is always greener syndrome.

We miss what is right in front of us, and sadly we don’t realize how beautiful it is until it’s gone.

Think about what truly makes life beautiful. Look for that beauty in the small things. Beauty that surrounds you on a daily basis. A morning sunrise. An open bible. Your daily routine. Your church family. Your hometown and neighbors. A hug. A smile. The sunset and stars. Your cozy bed. Your home and loved ones.
Your whispers to the Savior as you fall asleep.

Sometimes what we overlook as the small stuff is really the big stuff.

The stuff that dreams are made of are too often the very things we take for granted.

My mother in law recognized it.
It wasn’t just this place, it was the people in this place that made it beautiful.

And that place is right where you are at this very moment. Choose to see the beauty in it. Don’t wait until it’s gone before you realize all God has blessed you with. Recognize the joy in every moment of every day right where you are.

You’re standing in the middle of beautiful, you just have to open your eyes and heart to see it.

It’s always been there~

That beautiful stuff that dreams are made of.