An Epiphany

e·piph·a·ny - a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.

This evening I was out with Stitch for our walk/hike. This usually occurs on the nights that I don't have another activity after work. Since it's usually late in the evening when we leave the house, I try to keep a quick enough pace to get us back home before dark, dinner, a favorite TV show, bedtime, etc. Tonight we were going across one of the grassy fields near the driving range, which is about a mile from my house. Stitch was running along chasing butterflies and panting (aka puppy smiling) as she always does, just thrilled to be on a walk with me. I was, as I always do, charging along watching the ground for...well...crap. (It happens.) I also have to make sure that we stay on the path, don't get lost, watch for other people (Stranger Danger, right kids?!), loose dogs that could attack Stitch, rocks, holes in the ground, or anything else that might trip me up. Let's just say I get preoccupied.

I suddenly I realized that I hadn't looked up in a long time. Of course I look up enough to make sure Stitch is safe and not getting too tired, but I hadn't looked up - way up. I stopped walking and looked up to see the most beautiful sunset in a sky full of white fluffy clouds. (I love sunsets. Always have.) The weather was perfect as I stood in awe of God's magnificent creation. Just like that - epiphany! I laughed to myself realizing how like life. I'm always so busy...physically and mentally! I'm hurrying through life trying to dodge all the crap and stumbling blocks in my path without getting lost. It is so easy to forget to stop and look up!

The sky was such a beautiful reminder that He is always with me...guiding me home. It reminded me of one of my favorite running songs - "Light Up the Sky" by The Afters.

When I'm feeling all alone
With so far to go
The signs are no where on this road
Guiding me home
When the night is closing in
Is falling on my skin
Oh God will You come close?

Light light light up the sky
You light up the sky to show me You are with me
I can't deny
No I can't deny that You are right here with me
You've opened my eyes
So I can see You all around me
Light light light up the sky
You light up the sky to show me
That You are with me

 When stars are hiding in the clouds
I don't feel them shining
When I can't see You beyond my doubt
The silver lining
When I've almost reached the end
Like a flood You're rushing in
Your love is rushing in

Once Stitch and I got back into our neighborhood, I could see a silver lining shining just over the hill as the sun finally set. Amazing. Yeah, you still have to watch where you are going, but don't forget to take the time to look up. You won't regret it.

 "...The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."   - Psalm 19:1

One Thing Remains

A comforting reminder......

One Thing Remains

Higher than the mountains that I face
Stronger than the power of the grave
Constant through the trial and the change
One thing remains

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me

On and on and on and on it goes
It overwhelms and satisfies my soul
And I never, ever, have to be afraid
One thing remains

In death, In life, I’m confident and
covered by the power of Your great love
My debt is paid, there’s nothing that can
separate my heart from Your great love

Your love never fails, never gives up
Never runs out on me

In Need of Peace

On Risks In Life

To laugh is to risk appearing the fool.
To weep is to risk appearing sentimental.
To reach out for another is to risk involvement.
To expose feelings is to risk exposing your true self.
To place your ideas, your dreams before the crowd is to risk loss.
To love is to risk being loved in return.
To live is to risk dying.
To hope is to risk despair.
To try at all is to risk failure.
But to risk we must because the greatest hazard in life is to risk nothing.

Sustain

It has been said that after silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.
- Aldous Huxley

Sustain

Seth Condrey

Situations get me down,
But your hand sustains my heart again.
The patterns seem to be so strong,
so break this mold and free me to live.

But there's questions and I ask "Why?"
I need you when my soul is dry.
You sustain me when I'm falling down.
You embrace me when no one's around.
And I close my eyes, I'm satisfied.
Like a child by your side,
I lift my arms.
Hold me now,
Hold me now.

A passion's burning in my soul,
and there a beauty that will light the way.
But still your streams of mercy flow,
and I can feel the hand of love today.

But there's questions and i ask "Why?"
I need you when my soul's dry.
You sustain me when I'm falling down.
You embrace me when no one's around.
And I close my eyes, I'm satisfied.
Like a child by your side,
I lift my arms.
Hold me now,
Hold me now.

Life Makes Music

But if life stayed the way it was
And lovers never fell out of love
If memories didn't last so long
If nobody did nobody wrong
If we knew what we had before it was gone
If every road led back home
This would be the very last country song

- Sugarland

I'm On My Way

I have always liked this song, but over the past few months it has come to mean more to me. It is on my running playlist. (Yeah, it's not all that upbeat, but many songs on my list aren't. Sometimes great lyrics are enough to motivate me.) I love how this song talks about waking up one morning and deciding to face your fears...having been through a lot, yet having so much more to learn...having dreams that nothing can keep you from achieving.

 I'm On My Way

Kellie Pickler

I've felt the power of forgiveness
I know that life can let you down
I'm not blind
No, I don't need a witness
To tell me there's angels all around

My eyes have seen more than they want to
My heart has scars that run so deep
There's tears that I've had to let go
And there's dreams I told myself I'd keep

Now I don't give up easy
I've got many miles to go
But I can't wait to get to
What I see down this road
And all my life I've learned to
Just take it day by day
I'm not there yet
But I know I'm on my way

I've looked out the window
When there's no hope in sight
But I swear I heard a whisper
Said it would be worth the fight

So I woke up one morning
And I put my fears aside
Now look how far I've come
From the back of an endless line

I still got lessons to be learned
There's a choice at every turn
Someone out there cleared a path
And there's no turning back

And all my life I've learned to
Just take it day by day
I'm not there yet
But I know I'm on my way

Somebody Else

I had to watch Miranda Lambert: Behind the Music the other night 'cause I just love her! I absolutely love her music, and I admire her talent and "don't mess with me" attitude. (Also, when/if I get married, her wedding will definitely be an inspiration in planning my own!)

Taken by me at June 4, 2011 concert

Miranda write most of her music, and one of the first songs she wrote was "Somebody Else." I didn't even know the song existed since it is not on any of her albums. A snippet was played during the show, and I was hooked. I had to go find it! I can't find anywhere to listen the song besides some chick doing a "cover" on YouTube. (FYI - Doing a cover is NOT the same thing as singing over the original artist's track and recording a video of yourself doing so. That would be taking the term "cover" a little too literally.) I did, however, find the lyrics.

This song is pretty much my life right now. I badly need vacation...break from the routine...something! I'm feeling kind of stuck, disappointed with the way some things have turned out in my life, and I'm afraid my life will just pass me by with so much I want to do left undone. I so wish I could just hop in the car and take off not worrying about money or where I'm going or what I'm leaving behind. I wanna be somebody else for a little while.  

Somebody Else 

Miranda Lambert

Highway 65 sure sounds kinda nice
I feel like drivin' somewhere far away
Got the top rolled down, radio up loud
Playin Willie and Old Hank

Well I don't really have a certain destination
I'll just fill the gas tank up and use my imagination

I wanna feel my freedom blowin' through my hair
Throw my troubles to the wind and scream out I don't care
I'm tired of bein' down and out cause that ain't what life should be about
I can feel the load gettin' lighter with every mile
I wanna be somebody else for a little while

Sometimes we're afraid to change, scared of what tomorrow brings
Same routine every day
If you never stop and listen, you dont know what you'll be missin'
Don't let your life slip away

I wanna feel my freedom blowin' through my hair
Throw my troubles to the wind and scream out I don't care
I'm tired of bein' down and out cause that ain't what life should be about
I can feel the load gettin' lighter with every mile
I wanna be somebody else for a little while

Stay up all night and sleep all day and wake up with a smile
I wanna be somebody else for a little while

Through the Fire

 "Through the Fire"

The Crabb Family

So many times I've questioned certain circumstances,
And things I could not understand.
And many times in trials, weakness blurs my vision;
That's when my frustration gets so out of hand.
It's then I am reminded: that I've never been forsaken,
I've never had to stand one test alone.
When I look at all my victories,
And the spirit rises up in me,
And it's through the fire my weakness is made strong!

He never promised that the cross would not get heavy,
And the hill would not be hard to climb.
He never offered our victories without fighting,
But He said help would always come in time.
So just remember, when you're standing in the valley of decision
And the adversary says "give in",
Just hold on, My Lord will show up
And He will take you through the fire again! 

I know within myself that I would surely perish
But if I trust the mighty hand of God,
He'll shield the flames again, again.