Breathtaking Beauty

This past week has been a particularly busy one. And I already told you about being weary and worn. So whenever I end up driving somewhere alone, it's like the floodgates just open and the tears come rushing out. (Don't be worried, Mom...I make sure that I'm still driving safely.) I think it must be that there's finally a little time to think about more than just the next thing on my list, and then all the emotions that have been pushed to the side just refuse to be contained anymore. 

Plus, in my extra weakened state, I've been making it a point to listen to Christian music more than usual to get some extra reminders of truth. And sometimes, it's like those songs perfectly describe how I'm feeling and exactly what I'm going through. (I'm not even sure how it happens, except that God is in control.) So the other evening as I was driving to a friend's house, that's just what happened. Every song personally resonated with my situation. And it was great. Because it allowed me to call out to God for His help and strength in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:8-10).      

But then something happened that I wasn't expecting.

You know when the moon appears bigger, brighter, and closer than usual? That night, as I continued to drive, I spotted such a moon, just for a split second, before it darted back behind the clouds. But that second of breathtaking beauty was all I needed. It literally made me gasp out loud. In that moment, that big, beautiful moon was like a beacon of hope for my soul. Not that the moon could give me any hope, in and of itself, but it reminded me that it had a Creator - that I have a Creator, who loves me (Psalm 19).

And if that moon wasn't enough of a reminder, these were the words of the song that was playing on the radio right at that very moment:

"It would have been easy
But I'm glad You never walked away
Cause Your love runs deep for me
And I see this beautiful world
And it brings tears in my eyes
And I think it's beautiful to be free

All I can do is thank You
For this life I never deserved
Wanna thank You for the grace
I know I don't have to earn
You love me, You love me
Your mercy is proof
All I can do is say thank You
All I can do is say thank You"

 As you can imagine, the floodgates opened even more. But my tears were transformed from tears of exhaustion and sadness to tears of thankfulness and joy in the knowledge and experience of God's red love for me. He didn't have to create this amazingly beautiful world. He didn't have to create me. He didn't have to make a way for me to have a relationship with Him. He didn't have to send His Son to die on my behalf. And I certainly never earned it or deserved it. He didn't have to let me experience the breathtaking view of the moon that night. He didn't have to let me hear that song or line up the words so perfectly. But He did. And it was just the reminder that I needed. And all I could do was be thankful - thankful for this beautiful world that reflects and declares God's glory and the amazing grace of God toward me in Jesus (Ephesians 1:3-10).

Just in case all this wasn't enough of a reminder for me, guess what song was playing on the radio as I left my friend's house that night...yep...the exact same song. God's timing couldn't be more bafflingly perfect. 

Most certainly, Loving Him is Red. 

How has the Lord reminded you of His beauty and love at just the right moment?