Ten years ago my husband and I built our home. It is located on a hill with an amazing view. We live in Pennsylvania, which means in the wintertime the driveway is killer. I love to take walks around the neighborhood with the twins. Pushing a stroller up that driveway with two 30 plus pound children in it is not for the feint of heart, but when you make it to the top, beauty abounds.
In many respects life is a lot like my driveway. It is hard work to continue the climb, but when you finally reach your destination you see all the beauty of God’s great creation. However, and I actually said this in a post I wrote earlier in the week, the view during the climb can be every bit as beautiful as the view from the top.
Along the way God gives us many beautiful gifts as incentives to keep striving. Strength, endurance, and full reliance on Him are provided. He even sends rains of mercy and grace to accompany us.
Sometimes, circumstances become difficult and life becomes overwhelming. I want to encourage you to look around at your view right now, exactly where you are, and breathe it in deep. Don’t take anything for granted. Even if you aren’t anywhere close to where you want to be in life, God has a lesson plan ready for you along the way. You will learn of His unending faithfulness. His plan is filled with lovely treasures, and you won’t only find them when you’ve reached the top. You can discover them today.
Enjoy your view, sisters!
This is a Five Minute Friday post. I’ve linked up with the lovely Lisa-Jo Baker and some other wonderful bloggers!
Oh my friend, I remember those days, hauling 2 little ones and all those groceries a tenth of a mile uphill in the winter when the car wouldn’t make it … yet, seems like life was so much simpler then? Thanks for taking me back …
Thanks for reading, Linda! Have a wonderful weekend!
Oh so beautiful. Taking in the moment and breathing it all in. YES YES YES I want that view.
I love this. It’s amazing how, as eager as I am to arrive at destinations (like book publishing or having a dream blogging opportunity) the journey to those places has been spectacular. A huge part of that has been this community…you all bless me so much. Thank you for sharing this, friend! Wishing you a wonderful Friday! 🙂
So beautiful. I tend to want to take short cuts on my journey. But there is so much beauty to be had as we continue up! Have a blessed weekend!
happy Friday Jennifer.I can so relate to that uphill climb with a double stroller. No driveway..but the hills in New York City’s Central Park have had me huffin’ and puffin’ as I pushed my way along. You’re so right about the lessons along the way friend. The view is amazing wherever you are – just be present enough to truly take a good look around. So much more to see than meets the eye. Great reminder to keep our eyes fixed on Him, trusting that He leads the way.
I actually had to ride my bike, uphill, both ways, to town and back when I was a kid. I love to tell my kids that because I sound like an old-timer but it’s true – there was a huge hill on each end of the ride. Just remembering I could actually take that hill on my bike makes me feel stronger than I really am — and that’s how the hills of life can be, too. We can look back and see where God strengthened us to get through those really tough times. And we can remember the view, too. Thank you for this reminder. Blessings, Aly
Yes! Lesson plans for us…and He IS faithful! Beautiful 🙂
Thank you, Jacque. Your post was beautiful as well!
Fabulous post.
Hi Jennifer
I have found when I hit those difficult, steep parts of the driveway of my life, I only need to draw close to Jesus and He picks me up and carry me to the top!
Blessings from FMF
Mia
AMEN!!!
In from FMF.
Beautiful reminder to look around
I needed this reminder today, to trust where God has me and to find beauty in THIS moment. Thanks so much for sharing!
Beautifully written. Great perspective. Thanks for sharing this.
As I am getting older I am learning how special and important it is to learn to slow down and just enjoy the view, whatever that view may be. To learn to see His hands is in each view before us. Thank you for the reminder.
God is teaching me to find beauty in the climbing right now. There are things to see along the way and I don’t need to be in so great a hurry to reach the top that I miss what I have right here in my view.
I see a Friday evening with the work week over and a nice poolside view of relaxation. I am going to enjoy the moment. Thanks for the reminder to do so! Love, Rachael @ Inking the Heart
I’m in the middle of a pretty steep climb right now but there are some awfully beautiful views along the way! 🙂 Thanks for a great post.
I’m praying your climb becomes a little easier, Susan.