Our weeks are often a mixture of assorted tasks and projects sprinkled with time with family and friends and seasoned with God’s grace. In the midst of the week, we may often not sense a clear revelation of God’s plan or purpose as we go about doing those things right in front of us.
Sometimes we miss it because we are not looking for it.
Sometimes we miss it because it is right in front of us and our eyes skip right over it.
Sometimes we miss it because the internal chatter that goes on nearly continuously has distracted us from subtle ways He is speaking or moving.
Sometimes we miss it because it is not the message or response we desire.
Other times we see the Lord’s hand so clearly, it is like rays of sun piercing through the clouds and grabbing our attention and awe. We are clear on His purpose and His intervention with us is as obvious as the HOLLYWOOD sign on the California hillside that most of us would recognize.
Recently I had a mishmash week where different parts of my life and world seemed to collide and left me feeling less steady without any particular reason. I could chalk it up to several nights of restless sleep or travel in a car for ten hours. If I wanted to go down rabbit trails looking for reasons, I could do that but it would still not change the sense of being less oriented.
Perhaps it was just the reality of life, a life far from Eden where I was intended to live.
If I turn my reflections to the many trips to the mountains of Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Alberta, Canada, the scene changes. These are places I love because I seem to sense the Lord’s presence in the midst of His creation so very clearly.
In those places the magnificence of the mountain ranges, peak upon peak frosted with 
snow, the gurgling sound of streams racing over rocks, and the stunning teal shades of glacial lakes cannot help but humble me as I view what surrounds me. The rocky trails through cedars, aspens, fir, spruce, and narrow leaf cottonwood arouse my senses with fragrance and symmetry that I somehow miss as I walk in my neighborhood or gaze at the trees in my backyard. All of these things are giving me the BIG HD picture and surround sound experience.
These trips have also illuminated something else. As I have looked through the lens of my camera, I have discovered small splashes of color tucked into sandy arid soil and mountain crevasses. These varying hues from small flowers of assorted shades and types are not always noticed or seen when so many large things capture my attention.
Yet, these are the very things that bring a smile to my face as they show the paradox of creation in the midst of the granite peaks surrounding me. They remind me to watch for small things, small surprises and delights planted throughout this world.
My children used to tease me about stopping so often to take yet another flower picture, trying to capture something of the wonder I felt as I discovered it. I seemed to be the catalyst for slowing the pace on the trail, as I would glimpse a columbine, wild strawberry, lupine or berry that I could not recognize.
Barbara Brown Taylor brought these reflections into sharper focus as she wrote these words in Gospel Medicine,
“Sometimes the work of God’s hand is so evident that you can see it a mile away and sometimes you have to dust for fingerprints.”
Be looking for Him this week. He’s there. He’s here.
Discover Him. He wants you to know Him.
You may find Him in places you would never expect.
I love the simple exercise of looking for God’s fingerprints. This is something that is near and dear to my heart and I desperately needed to be reminded of today… Thanks Pam.
Thanks, Char! It can be easy to for all of us to miss…. Blessings on your week! 💕
A beautiful picture painted with your words. Sometimes we do need to dust for Gods fingerprints thanks for the reminder.
Pam – you are such a great wordsmith. This is such a beautiful post. I love your p reminder to be looking for God all the time, especially when it’s not obvious. Blessings – we are neighbors at #GoodMondayMorning Linkup this week. I hope to see you Thursday at my linkup #TuneInThursday 🙂
Ah, thanks for such kind words, Debbie! Blessings on your week and your ministry for and through Him😊
I love taking pictures, not a bad idea to just hit the road sometimes.
Beautiful words. Sometimes we are so focused on our daily routine that we forget the bigger picture. Thank you for joining The Really Crafty Link Party, and enjoy the rest of your week.
Yep – I’m a sunrise girl ALL THE WAY!!!
Dear Pam, This is so beautiful! I have missed being able to take the long hikes into the forest preserves that I used to enjoy. But you are so right, His beauty is just as much in the small glimpses around us, as it is in the large wide open spaces. We just need to ask to be shown, and to open our eyes. Thank you so much for this encouragement!
I am sure you miss those things, Bettie, but this morning gave me a great example to follow my own words as I observed a pair of mourning doves sitting on the rail of our deck. They were cooing and enjoying each other despite windy, rainy and chilly 38 degree temps. They made me smile!!💕
What a beautiful way to begin Monday, keeping company with you, Pam, agreeing with your observations and your heart.
I hope this week finds you at peace, focused, and enjoying still moments. We’re all craving those times of quiet. And the pockets here and there simply aren’t enough anymore, are they …
Thanks, my friend! Today I have been blessed with encouragement in several places that have been a challenge. Even though there is not resolution, it was a great blessing to see some encouraging movement.
I was also blessed to hear and watch a pair of mourning doves this morning on our deck railing despite the harsh winds and chilly, rainy 38 degrees outside❤️
Pam, What a beautifully written post!! Your insight about why we may sense God’s presence more in the epic places of the country rather than our own backyards was convicting. Indeed, ALL of God’s creation big or small, speaks of His Wisdom, Majesty and Love.
Thanks so much for sharing.
Thanks so much, Karen, for these kind words! What I wrote caused me to take note of a pair of mourning doves cooing on our deck railing and recall they mate for life!💕
Love this, thanks for sharing. I was in the process of planning my day, this post reminded me to slow down. Needed that today
Thank YOU!! I am glad the Lord used it to nudge you to slow down. Have a God-kissed day!💕
ThAnks 🙏🏽