Our Father's Tender Love

    I took this picture when we were walking on the boardwalk along the Currituck Sound in Duck, North Carolina in September.  I love watching the sun set, spreading gorgeous color across the sky and mirroring that color in the rippling water.  Such amazing artistry from our wonderful Father!
 

    The words below - written by Max Lucado touch my heart as I consider all that our Father does for us - and how much He loves us:

        Next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless, remain that way.  Say nothing and listen as heaven whispers, "Do you like it?  I did it just for you."

    

    These golden petunias (in Fort Wayne, Indiana), spread across the ground are breath-takingly beautiful - just as Max Lucado described.  The tenderness of our loving Father in giving us all this beauty that surrounds us daily in some form is precious beyond words!!

    I'm reminded of a chapter I wrote in my book entitled, "Joy in the Journey - a Traveler's Tale with a Twist."  The chapter is Artist's Point - Delight, and begins with the verse, "Say to God, 'How awesome are Your works!" Psalm 66:3.  In that chapter, I describe a visit to the most beautiful spot in Yellowstone National Park called Artist's Point.  Here's a portion of what I wrote:

         "I was thrilled by this wondrous sight - overwhelmed by the power, majesty and scope of what God had created.  I sensed His presence and felt He was saying to me, 'Do the works of my fingers delight you?'

        'Oh, yes, Lord!  Oh, yes!'  I inwardly gushed as tears stung my eyes and I smiled.  I felt ready to burst with the joy of that moment.  Not only for the amazing gift of breathtaking beauty spread out before me, but even more so, for the fact that God Himself would meet me in that place, bend down and whisper in my mortal ear, 'Do the works of my fingers delight you?'

        As my heart overflowed with praise, I sensed His delight in my delight.  I felt God's presence so powerfully, it was as if He opened a crack in the invisible fabric separating the physical world from the spiritual just for a moment - and I felt like He was grinning from ear to holy ear.  I joined in with a grin  of my own, and we had a wonderful time enjoying His wonderful view!"

    This is me at Artist's Point, although it's not a quality photo, you can still see my joy and get a pale glimpse of the view.  "For the LORD takes delight in His people," Psalm 149:4.  I thank my God upon every remembrance of my meeting with Him on that day!  "God, my joy and my delight," Psalm 43:4.

    "How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great king over all the earth!" Psalm 47:2