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Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

It was a hectic summer filled with six-day work weeks, planning a bridal shower and wedding, abruptly moving two households. But I am finally enjoying the peace and quiet of a mini retreat secluded in the northern woods of PA.

The view

The view from the kitchen table overlooks a nearby pond. The calmness of the water surrounded by trees starting to burst forth their autumn colors and an occasional breakthrough of bright sunlight through intermittent gray clouds is soothing and comforting to this tired soul. However, a few things attempt to steal the beauty of this scene. Five dead pine trees stand along the edge of the pond and algae covers the top of the water prohibiting the reflection of the far side tree line. Oh, and remember the gray clouds?

In that moment the Spirit used all of these things to remind me that I could look at those dead pine trees and be sad because they detracted from the beauty of my view, or I could CHOOSE to take in all the other beauty surrounding me. Things like the luscious green grass bordering a field flowing with wild flowers and butterflies flitting on top of the colorful buds. This is the same field that the previous evening was a grazing spot for four deer. The grey clouds are being gently pushed out by big, cotton ball-like white clouds and blue is peaking through. Once again my spirit is comforted by the beauty!

Whatever IS , if anything IS

I am reminded of today’s verse and two things. One, it says “whatever IS…If anything IS”. It doesn’t say WAS. Second, it says to “think about such things.”

I didn’t choose this life of widowhood (and neither did you), but I can choose what to focus my mind on. Early in my widowhood someone offered this tidbit of counsel.

You can be sad for all the years you won’t have or you can be thankful for the years you did have and that I will see him again.

That was a hard way to look at things for me in that time of deep sorrow. But as the years have gone by I have learned the blessing of heeding her counsel.

The Lord asked me to consider the following:

Will I dwell on

• the reality of plans not lived out, years that were cut short? Or be thankful for the years we had and the promise that we will be reunited for eternity?
• all that death has stolen from me? Or focus on the good gifts I have been given from my heavenly Father?
• my loneliness? Or take advantage of this time to draw near to Him, to grow deeper in my relationship with the only One who never leaves us or forsakes us?
• the “algae and grey skies” of my despair cover me? Or let the Son shine through me casting a reflection of His love on those around me?

How would you answer these questions?

What will you choose to focus on?

If you are early in this journey, it may be hard to see the beauty and that’s understandable.

But I promise you it’s there.

Lord, amidst the ugliness and darkness of widowhood, help us to see the beauty that surrounds us, the blessings that abound and Your presence with us. May Your love be the reflection others see in us. Amen