Breathless Beauty

Blessed be the name of the LORD
   from this time forth and forevermore!

From the rising of the sun to its setting,
   the name of the LORD is to be praised!

 The LORD is high above all nations,
   and his glory above the heavens! 

Psalm 113:2-4  ESV

There is no way to fully capture the beauty of some of the scenes that flash before our eyes.  Tonight was an example of one such instance.  The skies were a blaze with glorious shades of pink, violet, gold and crimson as the sunset marked the end of a spectacular day of unseasonably mild weather for January.  

Both the mild day and the breathtaking sunset were blessings...gifts direct from the hand of God.  Worship and praise are the natural response of my heart when I truly stop and consider the handiwork of our creator...and His delight in lavishing His artistry for all to see on the vast canvas of the evening skies.

Beauty can take our breath away.  Beauty can bring tears of amazement and joy.  Beauty invites us deeper into the mystery of God - the author of Beauty.

So tonight, I still bask in the afterglow of God's very evident Love and Care to show a glimpse of His greatness to one such as me.

Celebrations

December 29, 2011 marked the 65^th Wedding Anniversary of Mom & Dad, Les and Frances Shetler.  This weekend all of my siblings and most of the spouses and grandchildren gathered to celebrate with them.

While pictures were taken and meals were shared, new memories were made and past ones were recollected.   A program of tributes by children and grandchildren was presented.  A Q & A for Mom & Dad was very special as they answered questions that enabled them to share ‘their story’ of their courtship, engagement, and wedding. 

Themes that emerged from the celebration were the importance of commitment and love lived out in the context of faith, family and community.  Our collective memories circled back again and again to thankfulness for the example our parents provided to us as children.  Hard work, integrity, and steadfast faith have been modeled throughout their 65-year marriage.

We are a blessed family…not because we had perfect parents, but because we have faithful parents.

Sung at Mom & Dad’s wedding 65 years ago…

                     O Perfect Love Hymn

O perfect Love, all human thought transcending,
Lowly we kneel in prayer before Thy throne,
That theirs may be the love which knows no ending,
Whom Thou forevermore dost join in one.

O perfect Life, be Thou their full assurance,
Of tender charity and steadfast faith,
Of patient hope and quiet, brave endurance,
With childlike trust that fears nor pain nor death.

Grant them the joy which brightens earthly sorrow;
Grant them the peace which calms all earthly strife,
And to life’s day the glorious unknown morrow
That dawns upon eternal love and life.