LORD, our LORD, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens…When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?  Psalm 8:1, 3-4
 
 
Traveling in the south of France, I saw one charming town after another. Amazed at both the history and the quaintness of these villages, I wasn’t prepared for our tour guide’s next remark:  “The people of this town don’t really see its beauty.” I wasn’t sure I heard her correctly. How could they not see how absolutely gorgeous their corner of the world was? This thought haunted me the rest of the day as we traveled on to other lovely towns.
 
How often do we miss the beauty surrounding us? When traveling to new places, I can easily see with fresh eyes what the locals miss. The cobblestoned streets curving gently passed pastel buildings and the bobbing heads of brightly colored flowers waving welcome never fail to enthrall and capture my heart. Yet, I wonder, what do I totally miss in my everyday?
 
Travel teaches us many lessons that, if we aware, can spill over into our normal routines. When traveling, we switch over into vacation mode, relishing the slower pace and relaxed days. Seeing our surroundings perhaps for the first time allows us the luxury of paying attention to details and soaking in the new and different. Travel teaches us mindfulness, the art of being present in the moment as the usual worries and anxieties fade away the further we travel from home. Being fully aware as we engage in new cultures and sights creates an excitement within, a freshness, a desire to experience life to the fullest.
 
Bringing back that mindfulness from vacation and incorporating it into our daily lives is challenging. Busyness robs us of the opportunities to focus on what is right in front of us. Taking even a short second to notice our surroundings, drink in the beauty deep into our souls, and inhale the fragrance of present moments is an art worth pursuing.
 
When was the last time you noticed a striking sunset or brilliantly hued flowers? Or the laughter of a child? Or the smiling face of a close friend? When did you drink in the beauty of your surroundings until you thought your soul would burst with sheer happiness and gratitude?
 
If your answers, like mine, are “too long ago” or “never”, then take a “vacation” in your everyday to stop, look, and listen. Feeding your soul with morsels of beauty each day is too good to save for special vacations. Our corner of God’s vast world is beautiful, too, right here and now. Like the writer of Psalm 8, we, too, can marvel at God’s glorious creation and reflect back to Him the beauty of a grateful soul.
 
 
Lord, I thank You for the beauty of Your creation. Give me eyes to see and a heart of gratitude for sights and sounds that tell of Your majesty. Make me mindful, unhurried, and aware of Your presence every day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
 
 
Want to subscribe to future posts? Click here.
 
Text and photograph copyright © 2017 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of sunset from San Juan Island, Washington.
 
 
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.”  Jeremiah 31:3
 
 
“That was really stupid! How could you do that? And how could you be so careless?” Taking a deep breath, I exhaled, feeling despondent. Perhaps I should have said, “You have no right to talk to me like that.” But I would have been talking to myself.
 
Do you catch yourself in negative self-talk? Sometimes we would not speak to another person the way we talk to ourselves. Why do we do that? How do destructive thoughts like “I am not enough”, “I am less than”, and “I am not worthy” become embedded in our souls? Are they from previous failures or words others have used to pierce our hearts?
 
Instead of telling ourselves emotional fabrications, listen to what God says about us. God doesn’t see us the way we see ourselves when we’re caught in this negative spiral of self-loathing. God lavishes His love on us and calls us His children (1 John 3:1). God showed us His love for us in sending His Son to die for us so that we might have life through Jesus (1 John 4:9). God rejoices over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). God created each of us uniquely and endowed us with gifts, talents, and abilities. He knows our strengths and our weaknesses and loves us unconditionally. We don’t have to prove anything to Him as He has already proved His love for us long ago on a wooden cross.
 
If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31). If the God of the universe loves us, who are we to not love us? God loves us and He created each of us uniquely. If we embrace who we are, faults and all, we no longer expend energy trying to be who we are not. When we can love and accept ourselves, and yes, even like ourselves, others are free to love and respect us as well. And we are free, in turn, to love and respect them.
 
The key verse for today says that God loves us with an everlasting, forever kind of love. Because of His great love for us, He shows us “unfailing kindness”. How do we love and show kindness to ourselves? The next time you find yourself in the middle of negative self-chatter, stop and ask yourself where these destructive thoughts come from. Be curious about where they started. The Bible says the enemy is the father of lies (John 8:44). Acknowledge to yourself that these are lies from the enemy and refuse to believe them.
 
When we grasp how much God loves us, we can stop the negative self-chatter and treat ourselves with kindness and self-respect. This means not judging ourselves harshly nor comparing ourselves to others. Set clear boundaries with yourself on what is not acceptable to say to yourself. Gently remind yourself of the lies driving the negative self-talk and the fact that God loves you and created you to be uniquely you.
 
We can be victorious. With the Sword of Truth (the Bible) in our hands and the Holy Spirit in our hearts, we can slay the dragon of negative self-chatter and can begin the journey back to liking, loving, and respecting ourselves. Cherish your uniqueness. Embrace who you are and live the abundant life God intends for you, free from judgment and disrespect, free to be you.
 
 
Lord, I am forever grateful for Your love for me. Thank You for Your unfailing kindness. May I show myself kindness and respect because in You, I am worthy. Thank You that I am Your precious child. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
 
 
Want to subscribe to future posts? Click here.
 
Text and photograph copyright © 2017 by Dawn Dailey. All rights reserved. Photo of Gaillardia flowers amidst a field of Mountain Bluebells near Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada.
 
 
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™