Sunday, December 5, 2010

Stepping Beyond

















This picture was taken a few weeks ago at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond, Virginia. A close friend and I walked, chatted, and snapped some pictures as we enjoyed the beauty surrounding us. Much of the time, life is what we make of it. Our attitude is key to whether amidst life's storms we are able to enjoy life or not.

"If therefore there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose." Philippians 2:1-2 NAS

Today, I am thankful to step beyond life circumstances and enjoy the beauty and blessings around me. I am thankful GOD has brought me to this place in life. I pray each of you will step beyond your circumstances and enjoy all GOD has for you, today!

By HIS mercy and in the grip of HIS grace,

Andrea

~Prayer request: Please pray for a close friend who has breast cancer. Also pray for me as I join her visiting doctors and surgeons. THANK YOU!

33 comments:

Christine said...

You are a true friend.
Blessing to you and your family.
Give your a dog a hug for me.

Nel said...

Enjoyed this Andrea. I think we are alot alike in even though time may be tough, we try to see the good in it. And there is always good because He is there if we will just "Be Still". Really enjoyed this. Praying...

until next time... nel

BLUEBUTTERFLY said...

Certainly praying. Romans 5 - the spirit, grace and HOPE THAT DOES NOT DISAPPOINT.

Kathleen said...

Such a worthy "stepping"!

Our feet are made ready by He who leads us along the stepping path.

Bless you,
Kathleen

Claudia said...

this Philippians quote is a good reminder and the picture is so beautiful.

so good for your friend to have you to join her visiting doctors - that will help amazingly

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Amen! You are always so encouraging.

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Times are tough for many of us but with Jesus by our side we can go through it and come out stronger and better than we were before. If He has allowed suffering then there must be a blessing of sorts awaiting us when it is all over. I enjoyed your post very much, Andrea.

Blessings & prayers,
Sandi

Terri Tiffany said...

What a beautiful place and that you got to spend time there with a friend:)) Blessings.

Julie Gillies said...

Hi Andrea,

What a gorgeous place to walk with a friend! I could not agree more that our attitude makes the biggest difference in our lives. Praying you and your friend hear unexpectedly good news from the doctors.

Debbie said...

What a pretty place to visit...and I have found what you wrote here to just be soo true. Often times it is necessary to just take those steps outside of our circumstances in order to see the blessings that are all around. He is in control and He is constant...HUGS to you. And definitely praying for your friend....she's blessed to have you to go with her during this time.

RCUBEs said...

That's a beautiful place. Glad to know that you're doing well and are choosing to see things the way He does. God bless you sister and praying always here.

David C Brown said...

It's good to enjoy the beauty in the creation - remembering the Creator!

Grace be with you.

Terry said...

Howdy Andrea
Thank you so much for not giving up on me !
I tried to leave a comment a couple of times but the computer locked up on me ,but I am like a bulldog and never give up until God says let go already !
It has been a long difficult week.
My Mom was diagnosed with Dementia and than yesterday a dear cousin lost her young son in Afghanistan.
A very full week.
However you have been on my mind and I wanted to share a verse with you .
I will repay the years the locusts
have eaten.
Joel:2:25
God can turn it around as he did for Joseph .Joseph kept an attitude that was right with God no matter what was happening to him in real life. I see that in your words as you write it is clear your heart is turned toward God:)
May the coming week be one filled with many wonderful God moments for you !
Hugs from Texas
Until next time
Happy Trails

Buttercup said...

I've been working hard to remember this. It's so easy to forget that circumstances shouldn't dictate our attitudes. Thanks for the beautiful and loving reminder. Prayers for healing and comfort for your friend and you, too, as you go on the journey with her. Take good care of yourself! You are precious.

Linda said...

This is so inspirational Andrea. We truly are called to live above our circumstances (which is not easy sometimes), and He gives grace.

Sharon said...

Such an inspirational post, Andrea.

It's so hard sometimes to look past difficulties and struggles - and yet, as you've said, this world still holds so much of God's beauty in it. We just have to open the "eyes" of our heart - and let it all sink in.

Will be thinking and praying for you and your friend.

GOD BLESS!

Unknown said...

Andrea, sweet friend, of course prayers will be lifted for your friend, & you! Your friend is blessed to have you at her side ...

This weekend you can read my write ... ugh!

Miss you, hope you are both doing well.

Have a beautiful winters eve ~
All my love, Marydon

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

"I pray each of you will step beyond your circumstances and enjoy all GOD has for you, today!"

I needed to hear this. Thank you so much.

Blessings to you,
Lyn

Diana Ferguson said...

I bet that dusting of snow you mentioned to me was simply beautiful!

Blessings to you and your precious thankful heart!

vanilla said...

It is sad when we focus on our troubles rather than on our Savior and Example.

Beautiful post. Blessings.

myletterstoemily said...

you have a lovely spot for a walk. i'm
so glad you have a friend to enjoy it
with!

my prayers are for your friend's healing
and wisdom to deal with doctors. you
are a dear to accompany her, and it will
give her such strength.

Jeanette Levellie said...

You are right, honey. Attitude determines altitude.

I will pray for your friend. Will you also pray for the sil of a dear friend who's going through chemo? Her name is Joan. Thanks and hugs,

Jen

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Andrea. Stepping beyond my circumstances is something I am totally aware of, yet can so easily forget to do. The Scripture is one for my memory including my heart. May the Lord continue to walk with us as we step beyond.
loving you, ~ linda

Together We Save said...

Sending prayers you way.... hope you have a wonderful week!!

~*Michelle*~ said...

"I am thankful to step beyond life circumstances and enjoy the beauty and blessings around me. "

Love this!

Praying for you my friend.....

duopastorale said...

A great life challenge!
This I do...

Parsley said...

Prayers for your friend.

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

What a treasure your friend has in you. My prayers are with you, your friend and her doctors. By His stripes we are healed.

May ya'll have a beautifully blessed day!

Nancy said...

What a beautiful thought and how timely for me. Your words and pictures are the perfect conpliment to each other.

I will certainly pray for your friend and your visit. Blessings.

Nancy said...

I appreciate your prayers, Andrea. Thanks so much.

Janna Leadbetter said...

There is always encouragement and consolation and love to be found, we need only look. Thanks for quoting the Scripture!

You have a lovely blog. :)

He & Me + 3 said...

Beautiful picture. there are so many blessings around us if we do take the time to look. Great advice.

MaryGrace said...

That was a beautiful day, as is every day I'm with you, dear friend. Thank you for lightening my load and for giving consolation to so many people!

I'm with you in prayer and sending you sunlight from afar!