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Perceptions

   We sometimes have preconceived notions about specific things in our heads and when we see things that blow that expectation out of the water, sometimes we are left blessed. This past week I took a week long vacation with my husband out of state, to visit one of the best friends I have ever had in my life. We went to Nebraska where she lived but stayed in South Dakota which bordered one another. Everyone I had talked to, said how flat Nebraska was- just so flat that you could see for miles. I think those people failed to see this area though. There were parts that were flat, but there were those parts when you traveled straight up a hill and crested the top that you could see other rolling hills and although you could see for miles, it was breathtakingly beautiful. We had made plans to see my friend's 'cow farm' and being from Texas I thought I knew what constituted as a cow farm. I did see some that fit my perception, but hers blew me out of the water. Their cow farm was more like the hunting leases we have in Southeast Texas, but with cedar trees instead of pine. Her husband drove us down a plethora of gravel roads to get there. You definitely needed a 4WD vehicle on this 'farm'. Sometimes he had to downshift to get up hills and down the other side.
    They made sure to show us all the breathtakingly beautiful views from the top. It was so quiet there, no sounds of vehicles to break the sounds of nature. No planes overhead to drown out the croaking of frogs, the calls of birds or the songs of insects. We were serenaded our entire time there. The cedar trees were beautiful and plentiful with their purplish berry seeds ready to drop and produce the next generation. The grasses were green, thick and rich, untouched by pesticide or fertilizer. The gentle breezes soothed away any heat that came from the sun.
    I think we take for granted the everyday things we have in our lives. I think we fail to see the forest for all the trees. I think we get so closed up in our tiny part of the world that we forget that God made a huge beautiful earth. We fail to see that He has given us food to eat from this land. He has provided clothing for us that starts with this land. He created this for us. We fail to see His provision. We fail to be thankful. We fail to see His Sovereign hand in every situation. We fail to see His mercy and grace, and we fail to give it to others as well. I had perceptions before going on this trip. I had a picture in my mind somewhat, but that was blown apart with the awesome beauty that I saw. I beheld the richness of the earth. Now that I am back home again, I have not failed to see the beauty where I live. I have always loved nature, the simple things, that others probably don't see- but I am looking on with a different perception and a renewed sense of wonder at what God has made.

 Psalms 96: 11-12


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