I have been thinking about lent and where God might be calling me to go in these 40 days. Yesterday, I went for a long walk around the lake. I was thinking about what I needed to fast from or give up. I was totally drawing a blank.

I saw this wonderful tree with bright red berries. It caught my attention and I stopped for a minute to take in the beauty. Amongst many trees that have gone gray for winter here was this vibrant, striking beauty.

It hit me that during these 40 days perhaps my task is to notice all the beauty around me. Not in a sappy way- but to really take in the beauty of the people I meet, the beauty in myself (ahh). Often we can get so focused on all the gray that we just miss the wonders that are right before our eyes.

One constant that I am hearing is to be here now- fully present. Part of this means letting go of those things that hold me back from the now. This is a tough concept for me. I sometimes find a weird comfort in staying in the past. It's familar - kind of like my favorite green sweater. The problem is my green sweater is too heavy for Texas. I feel a little bit like a small child, do I really have to let go. I think the answer I'm hearing is yes. In order to live fully as God calls us our feet have to be firmly planted on the path of today. When the lovely red tree is front of us, we have to be looking in it's direction in order for ti's glory to bless us.

May your day be full of beauty and truth!