Brushstrokes…
At dusk last night clouds were backlit by a soon setting sun. Pinks took over where white puffs had just been. Streaks of peach arched from west to east. A canvas stretched sky wide. Brushstrokes of the Master Artist.
This morning a bluest blue canvas greeted me. As I pulled spent flowers and listened to chirps, curling puffs of white swept over the canvas. A dance of high and low clouds began. Moving art sent by their Creator.
Black dirt pops here with yellow, there with pink. Seeds created to put forth green leaves and top off with bold color. Designed simply for beauty.
Too often these works of art are never noticed. In busyness eyes are kept on the goal, the task, the electronic device.
But what if the Artist has a message? ‘Look up, look around, oh open your eyes and see – see what calms anxiousness, gives hope, brings joy.’ Notice these and use them in the midst of the busyness. Tell a child God painted the sky. Look out the office window and get others to join you. Smell a bouquet and know there is more than the insaneness of this world.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” (Psalm 19:1 NIV) Does it fall on deaf ears, blind eyes?
Still it is hard to take notice. Pain, ours or a loved one’s, keeps our focus on the now. Finances stir anxiety, and our gaze fixes on what can be done. Brokenness blacks out and shows only shattered ‘what if’ pieces. How to take notice?
“I lift up my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2 NIV) One sigh and surrender at a time. Looking up to our only source of joy. Joy in the midst of the everyday, the mundane, the ho-hum. Joy in the midst of the pain, heartache, loss. Joy in the midst of success, triumph, laughter.
Brushstrokes of reminding – He is always at work. His canvas is the sky, the ocean, the fields and mountains – and you. See the Master at work.
parisrenae 
That was beautiful. Thank you for reminding me to stop and soak in God’s creation!
LikeLike
Jill, it is amazing how much we miss, the older I get the less I want to miss – and knowing that even more beauty awaits in eternity is such an awesome promise to look forward to. Blessings as you stop and notice…
LikeLike
“One sigh and surrender at a time.” Beautiful. Thanks for the reminder.
LikeLike
Tanya -as you see the Master at work -smile, He does it just for you. Share the beauty…
LikeLike
This took away some pain. Even if for a precious moment. Thanks Paris Renae! xx
LikeLike
Oh sweet friend I’m asking the Father for healing and pain relief -May you see beauty even as you go through this time.
LikeLike
Thank you for this lovely reminder. I’m especially drawn to the thought of one surrender at a time. Thank you …
LikeLike
Isn’t He gracious? He knows we can only handle baby steps…one surrender at a time and He tenderly makes the next one possible…
LikeLike
Your pictures are amazing!
This is the third blog post I’ve read in less than two days about the clouds and God being the Master Artist!
Thanks for sharing this. I think God really is trying to remind us all of how much He cares and how much beauty He wants to make of our lives.
LikeLike
Yes, He surely wants us to put our eyes on Him and not on the busyness – how refreshing it is when we take the time, surrender our agenda, look up… Blessings as you notice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous photography, Paris! I went on a bike ride this morning and had to pull over and take a picture … it’s a retention area that they have beautified … set against a sky that was extra blue and clouds that were extra white … LOVE seeing God’s beauty! So glad I found you today.
LikeLike
So glad you stopped by. It is so worth the moments to stop and take in His beauty. Blessings as you pause, soak Him in, and point Him out to others…
LikeLike
So beautiful Paris! in words and pictures! Thank you for sharing and encouraging me tonight!! 🙂
LikeLike
Susie, you are such an encourager to see beauty – in your art, in your poetry. Blessings as you continue to notice and share His brushstrokes…
LikeLike