beautiful

recently, the head cheese went to a conference in luscious hawaii (the big island) and then stayed an extra few days to visit some of the other islands–kauai and maui, i think. before he left he complained of the long flight (12 hours) it takes to get there. i thought to myself that surely he'll be more enthused and forget the long trip once his feet hits the sand and his eyes catch view of the sunsets and blue waters.

so, time goes by and i'm stuck at a desk and computer. and imagine h.c. being kissed by the sun, drinking mai-tais (sp?), surfing and snorkeling and just having an awesome time. a week and a half later, h.c. returns. i ask him how beautiful, lush, breath-taking hawaii was. his response "totally not worth the trip." WHAT? the flight was too long, the beaches weren't that great, the food was too expensive, the jet lag was awful and he got sunburned while snorkeling. i can hardly believe my ears.

i mean this is HAWAII! one of the most amazing places God has ever placed on earth and he says that kauai was for the dogs. i'm saddened from the dismissal of this awesome creation. i mean, look at the picture! look at that sunset! does that look like a place that's for the dogs? no way! hawaii is still one of the places i dream of and plan to visit.

as i stared at h.c., wondering what was wrong with him, i began to think. how many wonders of God have i ignored? how much emphasis have i placed on the negative and totally ignored the blessing behind the journey? i think it's like the mother who's given birth to a child. she remembers the pain but it all melts away the minute the child is placed in her arms. it was worth all the labor to hold that tiny miracle in her arms.

what have i taken for granted? what have i ignored? lots. lately i've been so focused one not-so-great aspect of my life, i've become blind to the blessings and wonders that have been given to me at this moment. great health, a nice job, awesome friends and family, etc. that's just the basics. there are so many other great and small things i've chosen not to enjoy and take advantage of because of ONE aspect in my life is not the way i want it to be.

i can't do that anymore. i can't turn my back on what's in front me for the sake of a perceived negative. so, i now choose to revel in the wonders that are in my life right now. i'll count my blessings and stop complaining about what i don't have. God's provided everything i need and more. He still does. i'll take the journey as it comes. and when i'm blessed beyond measure, i'll be like the mother who labored to bring forth her baby. i'll say it was worth every minute.

be grateful. be blessed.