View from the front porch...

Yes, this is the view from our front porch. Before we moved here, we promised ourselves that no matter how long God allowed us to live in the mountains, that we would never lose the awe of their beauty and granduer. Everywhere we went for those first several months, we were constantly telling each other "Oooo, look at that!". But, as you can imagine... after time we got to the point that we didn't notice as often. Then one day, we were driving somewhere and one of the kids pointed at a pretty view. I looked up and before I knew it, I was thinking; "Yeah...seen that before". I caught myself and I looked up again. Yes it was a pretty view. I had forgotten to appreciate it. When we got back home that day, I went out on the front porch and looked across the yard at the mountain on the other side of Rockhouse Creek. I just stood there, looking for a while...

Not only had I forgotten to notice and appreciate the beauty in God's creation, I had also lost an appreciation for the opportunity He has given us here. We have a new lease on life. As we used to say when we were kids playing kickball, we get a do-over! God has chosen to take us off the shelf and put us to service in His glorious Kingdom of Light! What an awesome privilege!

Every once in a while we need to stop what we are "doing", and just go take a look at the view from the front porch...