One Woman's Thoughts From Vermont

Kelly is such a great writer. She gets to my heart every time. I know this went out to the group via email but I wanted to share it and keep it. She wrote:

Not sure I can spin a story like John, but wanted to share a few thoughts myself.

Being silent is a wonderful thing. I talk too much most of the time...this phenomenon has only increased in my old age. I'm sure it stems from joy in the soul, but often runs into the flesh head on. I have loved being in Vermont. There has been much quiet time. Ruth naps, I take walks, John is now gone, Todd works.As I walk I can't help but notice a few of the things of beauty that Vermont does offer - crisp, crackley leaves crunching underfoot...festively painted and decorated houses, many in the Victorian style I so admire...small, young mountains shouting with their reds, yellows and oranges wanting to be noticed...even the marble foundations, walls, buildings and paths which these local mountains have amply supplied.

I am drawn to beautiful things...are you too? Yet I think of Eve and her beholding the fruit that was good to look at. How hard it is not to dwell on the thing of beauty itself, but to turn away actively and train your mind to gaze on the One who is capable of making all things beautiful. I also remember a conversation with a friend of how reading or should I say, looking at the pics in Better Homes and Gardens can lead you into a place where there's always more you need to buy in order to have your home be perfect - at least for another month before the next issue arrives.

Can I encourage you today (as I retrain my own self) to behold the Savior, our Creator. Charm is deceitful, beauty is vain, but a woman who loves the Lord is to be praised.