Treasures Among the Weeds

This week has been a BIG DEAL for me! It was the first week I have been up early walking 2 miles for cardio since 3 months ago. Morning walks were part of my daily routine until December when I got too sick to get out of bed and do much; let alone my morning walks or workouts.

On the beauty of my beach walk the other day I saw a section of seaweedy area up ahead. I walk the same part of the beach everyday and everyday it is something different. Some mornings it's crystal clear, other days it has more shells than normal, and one day it was covered in so much seaweed I thought I was going to trip over it.

This beautiful day was pretty normal on the beach but this section stood out to me. I slowed down and really eyed what I was about to step in and noticed that among the nasty seaweed of this area was something so amazing. The more I slowed down to take a good look the more I saw the treasures that were intertwined and beneath this smelly seaweed.The shells were so beautiful, large, shiny and most of them were unharmed and not broken like most shells on the beach. It was as if the nasty, smelly, ugly seaweed was protecting them from being destroyed

It reminded me of life. Sometimes we have to walk through the icky, stinky, messy seaweed of life to find the real jewels, gems and treasures. The last 6 months I have been in nasty seaweed but thankfully I have discovered beautiful treasures. I have learned to appreciate the beauty and even the protection that lies within the mess of my situation. Life isn't always how we plan it or wish it to be. Things happen outside of our control and sometimes they are very difficult; almost unbearable. I have learned that if we open our eyes in the midst of the nasty mess we can always be thankful for the "hidden" treasures that surround us.

Sometimes we have to walk through the icky, stinky, messy seaweed of life to find the real jewels, gems and treasures. The last 6 months have been in nasty seaweed but thankfully I have discovered beautiful treasures. I have learned to appreciate the beauty and even the protection that lies within the mess of my situation. Life isn't always how we plan it or wish it to be. Things happen outside of our control and sometimes they are very difficult; almost unbearable. I have learned that if we open our eyes in the midst of the nasty mess we can always be thankful for the "hidden" treasures that surround us.

Along my recent journey, about 3 months ago I decided to start a thankful journal. Every night I write down and tell God 5 things I am thankful for that day. Some days are easier than other to come up with 5, some days I"m writing that I'm thankful to be alive and have family that love me around me. Our perspective impacts everything in our lives. How we see things we were are IN the mess will help us make it through and get pass the mess into something more beautiful.

Not only were there "hidden treasures" in the seaweed but these treasures were protected. Many times I have asked God "why" and I have come to accept that I don't have to understand the "why", I just need to trust that He is a good God all the time and He is taking care of and protecting me...possibly even from things that are unseen.

There is a song that I have had on repeat many times over the past few months, it's called "God is Bigger Than I Thought" by Passion.

The lyrics have changed my life.

Speak to me When the silence steals my voice You understand me You understand me Come to me In the valley of unknowns You understand me You understand me

You understand me, God You understand me

So I throw all my cares before You My doubts and fears don't scare You You're bigger than I thought You were You're bigger than I thought So I stop all negotiations With the God of all creation You're bigger than I thought You were You're bigger than I thought You were

I believe But help my unbelief You understand me You understand me Help me reach The faith that's underneath You understand me You understand me

You understand me, God You understand me

So I throw all my cares before You My doubts and fears don't scare You You're bigger than I thought You were You're bigger…

He's bigger than the mess, He's bigger than my understanding...He is bigger than my struggle and sickness and that' all I need to rest in. He's bigger....