Beauty in the Midst of Busy

Simply studying this photograph calms me.  This beautiful Pennsylvania stream is in a peaceful, quiet place, away from the roar of automobiles, trucks, and busses, the constant cacophony of noise from the city, a place of solitude and rest.  One can sit upon one of the rocks, or a fallen tree, and simply soak in the beauty of the spot, finding solace and peace in the pause.  I love this stream.

In the hustle and bustle of my life over the past weeks I am reminded that I need to visit places like this, but getting to them often involves hard work!  Hiking in to this spot near Mt. Gretna isn't easy.  There are no direct paths to the stream, just animal trails.  Thorns, nettles, and other irritants mar the journey, grabbing at my pants and sleeves like the annoyances of each day seek to make me hesitate, change direction, become frustrated. Life is like that.  And then, in the midst of all that frustration, hard work, sweat and effort, a moment of beauty comes upon us.  This morning was one of those for me.

I woke up happy, my heart filled to overflowing with joy from the Lord.  I sang sweet songs of praise, poetry set to music, the poetry of the soul in ecstasy, basking in the love of the Lord!  Sure, I'm still busy, my day is full, but that momentary reflection of beauty and quiet filled me with passion again!  Instead of facing a busy day with frustration and fatigue I am facing it with a sense of purpose and echoes of that joyful moment.

What caused this?  I was in Revelation this morning, the scene of the throne of glory in chapter 4.  In my mind I imagined the Seraphim leading a great hymn of praise, and then, throughout heaven, the echo of a whisper from every lip saying:  "Holy!"  Just writing about it brings chills again.  He is worthy to be praised!  Praise Him today!