You who love the Lord, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. Psalm 97:10
Sixteen years ago today, our country saw evil within its own banks. And it felt different than many of the atrocities we’d seen over the years on television regarding other countries. I guess because those, although tragic, seemed so distant, or felt that way. And we were maybe smug it was not going to happen in our country.
So, this morning, within moments of awakening, the events of a decade and half ago were with me. Always on that date, I think about those horrific and tragic events, and pray for all those so affected, but this year it was a pall, constantly present in my mind all day.
Our attitude has changed again to one of some complacency. We shake our heads and say it’s scary times, and yet we’ve become non-vigilant again, as though we’ve forgotten. And yet it seems as though evil and horror touch our lives daily in the news–killing of police, bombings, maiming of persons, and drive by shootings that result in the deaths of babies and more.
Was it so persistently with me today because the day looked much like that pretty day in 2001? The sky was blue, cloudless, and looked peaceful; both then and today. Maybe it was because the day was so pretty in New York, Pennsylvania and DC in 2001, that seeing the devastation of buildings and plane, against a pretty and peaceful sky, left its harsh and bitter memory. The sky was so marred with the smoke, soot and evilness rising into it. It was so harsh, and looked like what it was—destruction, evil, death, and loss. So many lives.
There were so many stories of heroism, of angels helping others trapped and leading them out—whether it be the first responders themselves, some of the dogs used by the first responders, others helping as they tried to find their own way out of the devastation, or true angels. I know God was in those places that day. There is not a single doubt in my mind and heart. I know it. Call it faith.
I wonder if those pilots who chose to crash the planes changed their minds at the last instant before impact and cried out to God to help them, save them. Are they so sure we are infidels and deserving of death that they don’t question, even at the last moment, their actions? Is there no doubt at the moment of their impending death?
So, on this beautiful day, with a blue and clear sky, the peaceful sounds of the ocean lapping the shore rhythmically, and the cicadas chirping, I remember and pray.
We’ll always remember where we were September 11, 2001. One of the dates which is forever affecting “mybellaviews.” God bless America, and I pray all will feel and know God’s abiding love.
I love sunsets, but occasionally they remind me of how fast life can be. They signify the gorgeous ending of a day. I am frequently reminded of God’s glory, His vastness, His generosity when I see a sunset. Yet as those precious last minutes tick by, I am reminded how fast life can end.
It doesn’t matter what the day has brought as the sky lightens with orange, peach, lavender. The bright orb of the daytime sky starts to make its royal descent, promising a new day to begin in just a few hours. Sometimes we stop, see, and we enjoy. Other times we are clutching a hope, a prayer, a wish that whatever we are dealing with, will miraculously be changed with the coming day.
Hmmm, will it be a good day? Will it bring a release of the stress and worries of today? Will the new day bring wonderful blessings…or pain?
For some, the end of a day, sometimes signifies loss, pain, and maybe death. But there is a message of beauty and peace in the significance and blessing of watching a sunset. And maybe a death.
Yes, it is a loss, a significant loss, an ending. Sometimes it is a relief; pain has ended, and although you still miss the loss of a loved one, if there has been a long debilitating illness, there is some relief when their struggle ends.
Life will give us heartaches, losses, sudden pain, and then times when we need to reflect, to grow, to learn.
The events change over time and we are in a different place, less consumed with grief and loss. When I originally wrote the words below, it was a sharp and stabbing moment of time that reminded how brief life could be. Although this moment was filled with beauty and God’s blessings of color and a future, I held anger in my heart at the suddenness of death which had recently changed my life. And I was angry. My man was gone after a brief illness.
We all have losses and pain we deal with in life. They hurt. Yet the sun rises in beauty, as it sets in glory in the western sky most days. Part of the life cycle. And we learn to deal, to adapt to a life changed by loss and pain. But it’s a progression, a journey. It takes times.
I pray you continue to see the beauty around you as you learn to deal with your pain. There are rainbows and new beginnings along the way.
Here are some of Mybellaviews. Blessings 
As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10
For You formed my inward parts, you covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139: 13-14
But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. 1 Cor 7:7
But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You are our potter and we are the clay. Isaiah 64:8
But I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper and not to harm. Jeremiah 29:11
WOW! And that is not all the verses telling us we are unique, and we have different skills, talents, and so forth.
Although there are similarities between different species, whether flowers, animals, human beings, trees and more, I find it pleasing to see some of the differences, and the beauty. I planted a few calla lily bulbs in some pots, and basically ignored them, letting nature that God supplies take care of them. They did however, get over-watered and were floating after a particularly long storm, and I did then drain them and add a little more soil…but that’s been it. God has supplied the rest. But it amazes me and pleases me to see the same, the graceful flower, while noting that each has its own difference.
God has created us to also be unique, while we share similar hobbies, hopes, maybe plans, we each have a different way to present, have had different experiences, and a distinct presentation that is ours. We each grow and learn differently, apply what we’ve learned differently. We are each unique. That’s beyond my full comprehension how we are created with so many similarities and yet differences. But I know it’s amazing.
We are not like another in every way. We may have similar talents, but each is unique; each has something to offer. And that is a wonderful thing. You cannot have everyone with strong leadership skills–there will be fights and dissension. You can not have everyone with talent for great artistry, then there could be no workers to do everyday chores. We need individual talents to make the world work together smoothly, and all the tasks can be finished. We are unique. And blessed in that uniqueness.
So just as each flower in my garden is unique, so we are each beautiful. with our own strengths, and uniqueness. Revel in the fact that God made you special and He has a plan that is YOURS, and no one else can do it like you.
Pretty cool that He made us all similar, yet different, and special too. I am humbled to be unique. These lovely calla lilies bring beauty to “myBellaviews.”
Therefore, I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? Matthew 6:25-27
Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes it glad. Proverbs 12:25
I think it’s human nature to worry at times. Some people worry all the time, and never seem to have a worry-free time. Others are fairly laid back and try to take each day as it comes, and rarely seem to worry. But worry does come to each of us and we each handle it differently. We are all individuals, meaning we each look at things slightly different than others. And therefore handle worries differently.
Some of us have strengths where others have weakness and vice versa. But God’s word encourages, actually tells us to give Him our worries and concerns, and to not spend and expend our energy on worrying. We have little to no control over events in our lives. We may think we do, but then are shocked when severe sudden accidents, LIFE happens. We have little control; and yet think we are in command. . . . . until we are scooped up into a problem or unanticipated event.
It took me a long time to relinquish my worries. I wonder now if I liked keeping them close. But it was more a matter believing I, myself, me, was in control. How silly, how cocky. I have finally learned I have little control. Yes, I can pay my bills on time, can check in with family and friends and make sure they are all doing well (and can say prayers if there are issues), I can drive to the store and choose my merchandise, etc. But I have little control in the grand realm.
It behooves me to greet God each morning, ask Him to protect my family and keep them healthy, and to guide my steps, use me if there is a need I can accomplish for His kingdom.
I have learned over years how much easier my life is by handling over worries to God: again, not always easy, at least in those first days of trust and believing. Those worries would leap back into my mind and I would again start gnawing on them, then remember I had handed it off to God. . . and I needed to let Him deal, to trust Him. And remind myself to relinquish once again the worry I tried to snatch back.
Wahoo, life is so much easier and smoother doing this. So when you’re buried in worries, please turn to any of the verses I’ve written, or find your own. They have certainly made ‘mybellaviews’ much more pleasant and easy.
But the word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. Deuteronomy 30:14
Somehow, I thought when I became a Christian life would always be positive, no worries, no doubts, and one would sail along. I initially felt I walked several inches above the ground for the first few days. Then euphoria faded as I fell into the routine of life.
So the magic faded, but not the gratefulness, but I was puzzled. I was being bombarded with hurtful things, doubts, and whatever. At that time I didn’t know I needed to seek His counsel, words, directions and promises to survive and thrive. And it’s a journey, a growth, I’ve learned. You need to work and learn about Him so your relationship will develop. Like any other relationship we have in this life.
We are babes when we first find and accept God. We learn who He is, what He has done, and begin to grow in our walk. It takes a true ‘knocking, seeking’ for the door to be opened. Not that we are not with Him, but we need to seek growing with Him, discovering His plan for our lives, and what we are supposed to do, or refrain from doing. And that comes about by reading His words and applying them to our lives, to attending a Bible teaching church, and hanging with others who walk with Him. It is not always easy to know His will and we sometimes have to WAIT, but He will guide us if we diligently seek His will for our lives.
There are things He wants us to avoid since they will bring us danger (maybe illness, broken heart, dismay, and so much more). For instance, if we choose to become intimate outside of marriage and not seeking His will if this is the right person for us, we can develop a disease, infection, or some kind of permanent scar. He doesn’t say NO alcohol, although for some, all alcohol is a danger to them, but He certainly does not want us abusing our bodies (His earthly temple since He lives in us) and becoming addicted, sick, or enslaved to these devil enticements. And even with alcohol, He wants us to use moderation.
We must know His words, His direction or it is easy to fall away. Not because we want to, but because we have not worked to seek His words, promises, directions and guidance. With His words imprinted in our minds and hearts, we are able to believe and not quake when facing something so dire, and we are able to have standards and stick with them.
We each stand and live according to our knowledge, understanding and seeking of His guidance. In order to learn it, we must study and learn His words. And it is a growth. There have been many times some of the words were like ‘blah, blah, blah’ and held no meaning for me. And at other times, it was like a light, a rope of understanding during whatever issue I was coping with. And I could hold onto it, tightly. So I need the words and promises to help with my growth and understanding.
I am still stumbling and growing. It is a life long learning journey. Maybe some of ‘mybellaviews’ will help in your own growth.
Hi, I'm Kathy. Welcome to my website!