Time Out!

Since this year began, it's been a series of happenings one after another. Lots of good things but also several tragic happenings, like the sudden death of a very good friend of over 20 years, sudden deaths of a high school classmate, another of an officemate, a relative suffering a stroke, several other officemates undergoing major surgeries... wow, it's almost unbelievable how these are happening one after another!!

If you also find yourself in the midst of sudden tragedies, or if you are now amidst a buzz of activities and feel you are running around like a headless chicken, you may also need to TIME OUT!!

Our spirit needs nourishment, even for just a while.

I want to share with you these photos of breathtaking beauty. The photos do not do justice to the actual scene, but they do capture a bit of the natural splendor. Sky, mountains, hills, trees, greens...

You may just sit still and gaze over it, and allow your mind and heart to be present to the beauty and splendor of what you see... Or, you may imagine it to be like a soft mat that you can lie on and rest for a while...

All things bright and beautiful
All creatures great and small
All things wise and wonderful
The Lord God made them all!
(by Cecil Alexander)

Made Special In Our Differences

While hiking down the mountain last month, these two trees called for our attention. One was tall and slim, and seemed to be standing with grace and confidence. The other was short and leafy, and seemed to be calling us to its shade. Both were different in shape but each was a pleasant sight in its own way.

This reminded me of times in the past when I would feel inadequate in the presence of others who were more beautiful or charming, more articulate, more brilliant or kind, more this or more that.

But the Lord who made both trees special in their own way, also personally made each one of us unique and special in our differences. And He wants us to honor these differences as His own personal GIFTS to us.

Thank you, trees, for reminding me to see our being different from each other as His way of loving each one of us uniquely!